206 



ANTHOTAXY 



Fig. 588) the scales (a) are solitary, subtending each flower. In the 

 grasses (Family Gramincae) the glumes are arranged in pairs, each 

 pair subtending a short branch, which may bear only one, several, or 

 many flowers, the whole known as a Spikelet (Fig. 589). Typically, 

 there is besides the two glumes of the spikelet (a) an additional pair 

 of scales (c) for each flower (6). Thus, if there be but one flower in a 

 spikelet, it possesses two pairs of scales. If more than one, then there is 

 a separate pair of scales for each flower, besides the one pair pertaining 

 to the spikelet as a w^hole. The scales of the spikelet are called the 



Fig. 588. Distichous arrangement of flowers of a sedge, each scale (o) containing a flower {b). .589. 

 Spikelet from the inflorescence of a grass: a, glumes of the spikelet; t, a flower; c, palets of the flower. 



Glumes, Glumes Proper, or Lower Glumes; those of the individual 

 flowers (c) Palets or Upper Glumes. Much complexity in the relations 

 of the glumes ensues as a result of suppression of both glumes or both 

 palets, of one of either or of each, or of two of one and one of the other, 

 and so on. The character of the individual glumes must be carefully 

 studied, as in the case of the involucral scales of the anthodium. The 

 character of the terminal appendages wdiich they bear is of special 

 importance. 



With this study of the inflorescence we are brought again to the 

 individual flower, with the study of which we commenced. 



