632 



PUACE.E. 



distichous ill the exeiiv.atiourt of tlio jointed nicliis. JJachilla very 

 .short, articulate above tiie lower glumes, extemliiig as a short awn 



Fig. lis— Jourm strtiminea. J, pistillate spikelets ; a, portion of staminate 

 Inflorescence ; h, two-Howered i)istillate spike ; d, staminate floret ; e, floral 

 f^lunie of same ; c, grain. (Scril^ner.) 



above the flowers, which are perfect or the upper one imperfect. 

 Empty glumes 1-2, persistent, narrow, firm, acute, 5-nerved ; the 

 floral glume much shorter, slender, hyaline; palea hyaline, 2-nerved. 

 Stamens 3 or fewer. Stylos short, distnict, distant, stigmas feathery. 

 Grain narrow, glabrous, enclosed by the glumes, but not adherent. 

 Low branching annuals or sometimes taller and perennial, blades 



