POACEAE. 



25 



12. PHAIiARIS L. 



Annual or perennial grasses with flat leaves, the inflorescence spike-like, 

 capitate or a narrow panicle. Spikelets crowded, l-flowered. Scales 5, the first 

 and second about equal in length, strongly compressed laterally, usually wing- 

 keeled; third and fourth scales much smaller or reduced to mere rudiments; 

 fifth scale subtending a palet similar to itself and a perfect flower. Stamens 3. 

 Styles distinct. Stigmas plumose. Grain oblong, free, smooth, enclosed in the 

 indurated scales. [Greek, alluding to the shining grain.] About 10 species, 

 mostly natives of southern Europe. Type species: Phalaris arundinacea L. 



1. Phalaris canari^nsis L. Ca- 

 nary-grass. (Fig. 34.) Culms 1°- 

 3° tall. Leaves 2'-12' long, 2"-6" 

 wide, strongly scabrous; spikes i'- 

 11' long, ovoid; spikelets 3"-4" long; 

 outer scales whitish with green 

 nerves; third and fourth scales about 

 half the length of the fifth, broadly 

 lanceolate, thin-membranous^ spar- 

 ingly hairy; fifth scale about two- 

 thirds as long as the spikelet, pu- 

 bescent with appressed hairs. 



Occasional in waste and cultivated 

 grounds. Introduced, presumably by 

 seed for caged birds. Native of Europe. 

 Flowers in spring. Introduced into the 

 United States. 



13. PHIiEUM L. 



Annual or perennial grasses with flat leaves and spicate inflorescence. 

 Spikelets l-flowered. Scales 3; the 2 outer empty, membranous, compressed, 

 keeled, the apex obliquely truncate, the midnerve produced into an awn ; the 

 third scale much shorter, broader, hyaline, truncate, denticulate at the summit; 

 palet narrow, hyaline. Stamens 3. Styles distinct, somewhat elongated. Stig- 

 mas plumose. Grain ovoid, free, enclosed in the scale and palet. [Name 

 Greek, taken from Pliny; originaly applied to some very different plant.] 

 About 10 species, inhabiting the temperate zones of both hemispheres, the fol- 

 lowing typical. The English name Cat-tail Grass is applied to all the species. 



