GRAMINE^E. 413 



Order CXXV. GRAMINE^. Juss. The Grass Tribe. 



Flowers in small splkelets, consisting of bracts or scales imbricated in 2 rows, 

 the exterior of which (usually 2) are called glumes, and the two that imme- 

 diately inclose the flower, imle<z. Calyx and corolla none, or reduced to minute 

 scales or locUculce, which are usually 2 in number. Stamens mostly 3 : anthers 

 versatile. Styles 2, sometimes united at the base : stigmas feathery. — Stems 

 (culms) hollow, closed at the joints. Sheaths of the leaves split, or open on one 

 side (very rarely entire), often furnished with a membranaceous appendage 

 (ligule) on one side. 



CONSPECTUS OP THE TRIBES AND GENERA. 



Tribe 1. ORYZE^. Spikclets either one-flowered, with the glumes mostly abortive ; or 2 - 3-flowcrcd, one or 

 both of the lower flowers with a single palea and neuter, the terminal one fertile. Palcas somewhat 

 coriaceous. — Flowers mostly hexandrous. 



1. Leersia. Spikclets one-flowered. Glumes none. Paleas 2, awnless. 



2. ZizAMA. Monoecious. Spikclets onc-flowcred. Glumes none. Palca; of the pistillate flowers awned, mcmbranb- 



ccous. 



Tribe 2. PHALARIDE.^. Spikclets perfect, polygamous or rarely monoecious : either one-flowered, without a 

 rudimentary stipe-like flower ; or 2-flowerod, the flowers perfect or sterile ; or 2 - 3-flowerod, the 

 terminal flower perfect, the others incomplete. Paleai mostly indurated in fruit. 



3. A1.0PECURUS. Spikclets onc-flowerod. Glumes 2, awnless, boat-shaped, united above the base. Upper palea want- 



ing : lower one awncd on the back. 



4. Phleum. Spikclets one-flowered. Glumes distinct, boat-shaped. Palea: awnless. 



5. Phala-Ris. Spikclets 3-flovvered, awnless ; the 2 lower flowers scale-like ; upper flower perfect. Glumes 2, keeled. 



6. H01.COS. Spikclets 2-flowered : glumes nearly equal ; lower flower perfect, awnless ; upper one staminate or neuter; 



the lower pales awncd on the back. 



7. HiEROCHLoA. Spikclets 3-flowered ; the two lower flowers staminate, triandrous, awncd ; uppermost flower dian- 



drous, awnless, 



8. Anthoxanthum, Spikclets 3-flowered ; the two lower flowers neuter, each consisting of a single awned paica ; 



upper flower perfect, awnjcss, diandrous. 



Tribe 3. PANICEjE, Spikelets 2-flowered; the lower flower incomplete, usually neuter. Glumes of thinner 

 texture than the palcte ; the lower one often (rarely both) abortive. PaleiB more or less coriaceous, 

 commonly awnless ; the lower one concave. 



9. Paspalum. Glume single. Lower flower neuter, of a single palea, membranaceous. Perfect flower of 2 awnleai 



pali'S. — Flowers in spikes ; the pedicels jointed. 



10. Milium. Glume single. Lower flower neuter, of a single palea. Perfect flower awnless. — Flowers in a loose 



pinicle; the pedicels not articulated, 



11. Panicum, Spikclets naked : glumes 2, very unequal. Lower flower of one or two palea), 



13. Pesnuetom. Spikelets with an involucre of several distinct bristles, 2-flowercd : glumes two, unequal. Lower 

 flower of one or two palcis, 



13, Cenchrus. Spikclets enclosed in an indurated involucre, which is spiny or bristly externally. Glumes 2. 



Tribe 4. STIPACEjE. Spikelets one-flowered. Lower palea involute, with a simple or 3-clefl mostly twisted 

 awn at the tip, indurated in fruit. Ovary stipitatc. 



14. OaYzopsis. Glumes 3, meinbranaccous, nearly equal, awnless. Pales coriaceous, equal in length : awn decidaoos, 



straight. Scales linear, elongated. Stipe of the ovary short. 



