DESCRIPTIONS OF TRIBES AND GENERA. 



91 



glumes of the 2-3 spikelets finally form a hard capsule or 



false fruit. Palea linear, two-nerved, much exceeding the 



flowering glume. Styles elongated, 



stigmas short, feathery ; stamens 



three ; common subtending or 



sheathing bract of the spikelets 



lanceolate. 



Species one, L. Spartum L. (Fig. 

 38), has a creeping rhizome and 

 stiff, rush-like, convolute leaves. 

 In rocky soil on the high plains of 

 the countries bordering the Medi- 

 terranean, especially of Spain and 

 Algeria. A part of the "Esparto" 

 (see Stipa tenacissima) is furnished 

 by this plant. 



93. (29) Streptochaeta Schrad. 

 (Lepideilema Trin.). Distinguished 

 from all other grasses by the spiral 

 arrangement of its numerous (12) 

 glumes, one of which bears a deli- 

 cate, tendril-like, twisted awn. 



Spikelets elongated, terete, acu- 

 minate. Stamens six, monadel- Fl - 

 phous. Style one, stigmas three ; 

 leaves broad. 



Species one (S. spicata Schrad.), in Brazil. A genus 

 of very doubtful relationship, placed with the Oryzecv 

 on account of the character of its fruit. (For manner of 

 dispersing its seed, see page 29.) 



TBEBE VII. PHALABIDE.E. 



All the spikelets fertile, one-flowered or with 1-2 $ 

 flowers inserted below the apparently terminal one. 

 Empty glumes four (the two inner ones rarely acting as 

 flowering glumes for $ flowers), unequal, the third and 

 fourth occasionally very small, or one of them rudiment- 

 ary. Flowering glume and palea alike, laterally com- 

 pressed, nerves one or none, awnless. Styles distinct ; 

 stigmas usually projecting from the point of the spike- 



