MAYDE^ 163 



and palea delicately hyaline. The staminate upper por- 

 tion of the inflorescence also protrudes from the opening 

 for an irich or two. This consists of a few spikelets in 

 pairs, the structure being similar to that described above 

 for the other genera. At maturity the staminate portion 

 of the inflorescence disarticulates, the sheathing bract 

 containing the seed forms an ivory-like ovoid fruit, from 

 white to bluish gray in color, that separates by a joint 

 from the peduncle. These fruits are used as beads for 

 ornament. 



