410 SYSTEMATIC BOTANY 



the spikelets, varies considerably, it may be a close- 

 spike, a spike of spikes, an umbel of one-sided spikes 

 as in CHLORIS (B in fig. 90), or an open panicle as 

 in ERAGROSTIS (A). 



In many cases the glumes or some of them are awned, 

 i.e. prolonged into hairs as in CHLORIS, in which also- 

 the upper two glumes are sterile (E. in fig. 90). 



PANICUM 



Numerous species of this genus are cultivated under 

 the names millet, guinea-grass, etc. 



The spikelets are in open .panicles, or close spikes 

 of spikes, and consists of two empty glumes (F 1 and 

 2), and only one or two flowering glumes. In the axil 

 on the lower one (No. 3) are three stamens, but no 

 ovary, in that of the second (No. 4) a complete grass 

 flower. The whole spikelet is jointed to its pedicel 



EXPLANATION OF FIG. 90 



A. Panicle of ERAGROSTIS TENELLA, Roem and Sch. 



B. Umbelled spikes of CHLORIS BARBATA, Sw. 



C. Spikelet of ELEUSINE INDICA, Gaertn. ; glumes numbered 1 



to 7. The styles are out from the upper flowers before 

 the stamens. 



D. One flower of C. 



r,r edges of the infolded palea. 

 o ovary with two feathery styles. 

 1,1 lodicules. 



E. Spikelet of B (CHLORIS) flowering glumes awned, No. 3 



fertile, Nos. 4 and 5 empty. 



F. Spikelet of the 'Guinea-grass', PANICUM, Glume No. 3 with 



stamens only. No. 4 (the topmost) alone fertile. Palea. 

 of this transversely ribbed. 



