59 



I. Branchlets of panicle not produced beyond the terminal spikelets 

 into awn-like "bristles. 



Spikelets 2-seriate, close-set on the nndersurface of the flat rachis 

 of a simple spike, globose or ovoid ; awn ; gl. I. very 

 small, IV. very rugose; perennials; spikes alternate form- 

 ing a simple raceme 1. Paspaloidece. 



Spikelets 3-4-seriate crowded on the undersurface of a branched 

 spike, ovoid ; gl. I half as long as III or shorter, II and 

 III strongly nerved cuspidate or rigidly awned, IV. hard 

 in fruit ; annuals ; spikes alternate or crowded in usually 



a simple raceme 2- Echinocldoa. 



Spikelets irregularly l-2-(rarely 3-) seriate on the slender or spici- 

 form branches of a simple raceme, solitary or geminate, dis- 

 tant or crowded, ovoid or obovoid ; gl. I. shorter than half 

 as long as III, II. and III. subequal, awn 0....3. Brachiaria. 

 Spikelets small, crowded in spiciform panicles ovoid or lan- 

 ceolate, sometimes decurved ; gls. usually strongly ribbed, 

 I. much shorter than III., IV., usually much shorter than 



III., narrow, white 4. Hymenaclme. 



Spikelets solitary, rarely binate, sessile or pedicelled on the 

 slender branches of a decompound usually open panicle. 



5. Effusce. 



II. Branchlets of panicle produced beyond the terminal spikelet into 

 a rigid awn-like bristle. 



Spikelets solitary, sessile or pedicelled on the slender branches 



of a decompound open panicle. Leaves plicate 



6. Ptycliophyllum. 



B. Spikelets strongly laterally compressed. 



Spikelets very minute, panicled ; gl. IV. semilunar, perennial 



very slender grasses 7. Gibbosce. 



Sect. I. Paspaloidece. 



Panicmn punctatum BUEM. (Fig. 31) ; HOOK. f. Fl. Brit. Ind. VII. p. 

 29. " Spikes longer than the internodes, tip usually excurrent setiform, 



