MACLOSKIE : GRAMINEyE. 215 



glume dorsally compressed, 3-nerved, shortly mucronate, hyaline towards 

 its apex. Palea ovate. 

 (Argentina) ; Patagon. 



44. ERAGROSTIS Beauv. 



Spikelets flat, usually many-flowered (rarely 2-flowered), the flowers 

 perfect or variously unisexual ; panicle contracted or open. Glumes short, 

 unequal, keeled, i -3-nerved ; floral glumes larger, unawned, 3-nerved; 

 palea shorter, prominently 2-nerved. Stamens 2 or 3. Grain not fur- 

 rowed, enclosed, free. (Like Poa, but differing by the 3-nerved floral 

 glumes.) 



Species 100, in temperate and warm climates. 



i. E. DELICATULA Trin. 



Culm erect, slender, 12-25 cm - tall, floriferous and branching from 

 base. Leaves plane, glabrous, their ligules ciliate-bearded. Panicle 

 spreading, its rays 1-2, rarely more, mostly compound from the base. 

 Spikelets as long as the pedicels, linear-elliptical, 3-6-flowered. 



(Bahia Blanca) ; N. Patagon. "Good pasture in the valleys." (J. Ball.) 



2. E. ERAGROSTIS (Linn, sub Pod] Karst. 



Annual, 10-25 cm - m gh- Leaves flat, smooth, scent-glands on their 

 margins and the glumes. Panicle ovoid or linear, rather dense. Spikelets 

 compressed, on short pedicels, oblong-linear, plumbeous, 8-2O-flowered: 

 Floriglume broad-oval, obtuse ; palea ciliated on the nerves. Grain ovoid. 

 (Europe, introduced to Amer.) ; N. Patagon. in cultivated places near 

 Carmen. 



3. E. LUGENS N Nees. 



Tufted perennial, 45 cm. high. Sheaths of sterile sheets compressed, 

 keeled, hairy. Ligule a ciliate ring; blades ciliate, with filiform points. 

 Panicle thin, narrow or ovoid, 30 cm. long. Rays in 2's or 4's, with 

 hairy axils, branching. Spikelets oval, 4-8-flowered. Glumes ovate, 

 acute, floriglume broader, palea incurved. 



(Texas, etc.) ; N. Patagon., common near Carmen. 



4. E. MAJOR Host. (E. poceoides major Beauv.) 



Cespitose, branching, 15-60 cm. tall. Leaves lanceolate, glabrous, 

 their sheaths bearded at the opening. Panicle spreading, the rays solitary 



