130 



GRAMINRAE. 

 x8. PHALARIS L. Sp. PI. 54. 1753. 



Annual or perennial grasses with flat leaves, the inflorescence spike-like, capitate or a 

 narrow panicle. Spikelets crowded, i-flowered. Scales 5, the first and second about equal 

 in length, strongly compressed laterally, usually wing-keeled ; third and fourth scales much 

 smaller or reduced to mere rudiments ; fifth scale subtending a palet similar to itself and a 

 perfect flower. Stamens 3. Styles distinct. Stigmas plumose. Grain oblong, free, 

 smooth, enclosed in the scales. [Greek, alluding to the shining grain.] 



About 10 species, mostly natives of southern Europe. Besides the following, 3 others occur in 

 the United States. 



Outer scales not winged; inflorescence a narrow panicle. i. P. arundinacea. 



Outer scales broadly winged; inflorescence a spike or spike-like panicle. 



Spikelets narrow; third and fourth scales much reduced, rigid, subulate, hairy. 



2. P. Caroliniana. 



Spikelets broad; third and fourth scales thin-membranous, broadly lanceolate, glabrous or 

 sparingly hairy. 3. P. Canariensis. 



i. Phalaris arundinacea L. Reed Canary-grass. (Fig. 290.) 



Phalaris arundinacea L. Sp. PI. 55. 1753. 



Glabrous, culms erect, 2-5 tall, simple, smooth. 

 Sheaths shorter than the internodes; ligule i // -3 // 

 long, obtuse, membranous ; leaves 3^ / -io / long, 3 /x - 

 8" wide, acuminate, smooth or scabrous ; panicle 3'- 

 8' long, dense, its branches %'-!%' long, erect or 

 sometimes slightly spreading; spikelets 2 l /2"-$" 

 long; outer scales scabrous, 3-nerved; third and fourth 

 scales less than one-half as long as the fifth, subulate, 

 rigid, hairy ; fifth scale about three-fourths as long as 

 the spikelet, chartaceous, pubescent with long ap- 

 pressed silky hairs, subtending a palet of similar 

 texture and a perfect flower. 



In moist or .wet soil, Nova Scotia to British Columbia, 

 south to New Jersey, Kentucky, Kansas and Nevada. 

 Also in Europe and Asia. July-Aug. The Ribbon-grass 

 or Painted-grass of cultivation, the so-called variety picta, 

 has leaves variegated with green and white stripes, is a 

 derivative of this species, and sometimes escapes from 

 gardens. 



2. Phalaris Caroliniana Walt. Carolina Canary-grass. (Fig. 291.) 



Phalaris Caroliniana Walt. Fl. Car. 74. 1788. 

 Phalaris intermedia Bosc. ; Poir. in L,am. Encyci. 

 Suppl. i: 300. 1810. 



Phalaris Americana Ell. Bot. S. C. & Ga. i: 101. 



Culms i-3X tall, erect or sometimes decum- 

 bent at base, simple or somewhat branched, smooth 

 or roughish, glabrous. Sheaths usually shorter 

 than the internodes ; ligule i // -3 // long, rounded, 

 thin-membranous ; leaves 2 / -6 / long, 2"-$" wide, 

 smooth or slightly scabrous ; spike-like panicle i'- 

 4' long, dense, its branches about >' long, erect ; 

 spikelets 2^ x/ long, the outer scales more or less 

 scabrous, 3-nerved, wing-keeled ; third and fourth 

 scales less than one-half as long as the fifth, subu- 

 late, hairy; fifth scale about two-thirds as long as the 

 spikelet, acuminate, pubescent with long appressed 

 silky hairs. 



In moist soil, South Carolina to Missouri and Cali- 

 fornia, south to Florida and Texas. June-Aug. 



