172 



THE TRUE GRASSES. 



2. Empty glumes very small or none. 



289. Asprella. 

 ft. Stamens 10-40 in each $ flower. 290. Pariana. 



SUB-TRIBE A. Nardeae. 



Spikes unilateral; stigmas one; starch-grains compound. 

 272. (271) Nardus L. Both series of spikelets very 

 close together, apparently united on the inner side of the 

 continuous rachis. Spikelets 

 one-flowered ; empty glume 

 one, very small, grown to 

 the rachis, often indistinct ; 

 flowering glumes arranged in 

 the median line of the rachis, 

 awned. Spikelets not open- 

 ing in flower. (The glumes 

 remain almost embracing 

 oach other, only at the apex 

 of the spikelet is a small 

 opening for the stigma and 

 anthers.) 



Species one (N. stricta L.) 

 (Fig. 90). Leaves subulate, 

 rigid. By the distichous ar- 

 rangement of the short 

 branches of the rhizome this 

 grass forms a very thick and 

 dense turf. It grows in moist 

 calcareous soils throughout 

 Europe arid Northern Asia. 

 ft AJKf It is a useless grass, crowding 



a stigma. 



out better sorts. 



SUB-TRIBE B. Lolieae. 



Spikelets standing in the median line of the rachis; starch-grains usu- 

 ally compound. 



273. (265) Lolium L. Rachis not articulate, terminal 

 spikelets with two empty glumes ; lateral spikelets with 

 the upper (outer) one only, or at most a rudiment of the 

 lower. 



