254 GRAMINE.'E. Beckvmnnia. 



Moist meadows ami marshy planes (Bolandcr) ; Cascade Mountains {Lyall) ; Oregon, Howell. 

 Though introduwd at tlic East, it is ap])arently indigenous on this coast. It is luund in 

 Europe, Asia, nortliern Africa and Australia, where as well as in New Zealand it is "truly in- 

 digenous." As it yields Imt a scanty herbage, winch is nut much relished by stock, it has lillle 

 value to the farmer. 



9. BECKMANNIA, Host. BkcivMann's-Gu.vss. 

 Panicle long and narrow, with the spikelets crowded upon its branches in two 

 rows. Spikelets two-Howered, or by abortion one-flowered. Glumes boat-shaped, 

 inflated, abruptly pointed, with scarious margins. Florets sessile. Lower palet 

 membranaceous, 5-nerved, in the lower floret terminating in a very acute often 

 curved point. Stamens 3. Styles 2, short, densely covered with simple hairs. 



A genus of a single perennial species. In all the American specimens we have thus far exam- 

 ined the upper floret is wanting. It has a wide range from southern Europe to Japan, i\orth 

 America, etc. 



1. B. erucaeformis, Host. Cidms 2 or 3 feet higli : leaves 4 to 8 inches long 

 and about 3 lines wide, roughish, witli an elongated ligule : panicle often a foot 

 long, its usually erect branches solitary, or in twos and threes, ami sometimes sub- 

 divided : spikelets about 2 lines long, nearly orl)icular, green on the keel and some- 

 what wrinkled transversely. — Gram, iii, t. 2UG ; lieicheiib. Icon. Fl. Germ. i. 57, 

 t. 171. 



Common northward, extending to Oregon and British America. Mr. Bolander states that this 

 grass forms the greater part of the herbage in the wet meadows of the northern part of the State. 

 According to H. Engelniann the seeds are colhtcted for food by the Utah Indians. Some speci- 

 mens have much the ap[iearance of a Puspalum. The specific name means calcrpillar-sluqjcd, re- 

 ferring to the resemblance of the branches of the panicle to .some green larva. 



10. PHALARIS, I-inn. Canauv-Okass. 

 Panicle clustered or crowded to form a cylindrical or ovoid spike. Spikelets broad 

 and flattened, with one perfect floret, on each side of which is a neutral one reduced 

 to a mere rudiment or scale. Glumes equal, boat-sliaped, usually with a winged 

 keel. Perfect flower shorter than tlie glumes, flattened, awnless. Lower palet 

 shining, becoming cartilaginous when ripe, enclosing the smaller upper one. Scales 

 2 and minute, or wanting. Stamens 3. Ovary smooth : styles elongated, uniteil 

 below; stigmas slender, hairy. Grain flat, closely inclosed by, but free from, the 



A small genus, chieny belonging to the Mediterranean region and Central Asia. The most im- 

 ])ortant species is the one which furnishes the Canary-seed of connnerce. 



§ 1. Panicle deuse and spike-like: the glumes heeled. — Piialaris proper. 



'k Glumes with a broad keel: annuals. 



1. P. Canariensis, Linn. Culms 1 to 3 feet high : leaves flat with the upper 

 sheaths much inflated: spike 1 to H inches long, ovoid or somewhat cylindrical, 

 very dense: glumes broad with a conspicuous keel, white on the margin, with a 

 distinct green line witliin it : rudimentary florets as small lanceolate smooth scales ; 

 perfect floret with minute silky hairs. 



An introduced annual fi.Miucntly found near settlements where tlie rubbish from birdcages has 

 been ilirown. Largely cultivated in Europe and occasionally in tliis country for the seed, wliieh 

 is a favorite food of cage-birds. 



2. P. intermedia, Lose. Culm variable; sometimes 4 or 5 feet high, smooth : 

 leaves .short, tiie upper an inch long or less, often glaucous; sheath.s, especially the 

 uppermost, inflated : sjjike 1 to 2 inches long, ovoid ; sjiikelets 3 lines long: glumes 

 pointed: rudimentary florets linear, hairy, less than half tin; length of the perfect 



