CLASS III. ORDER III. 37 



Resembles the preceding which is perhaps only a variety of 

 this. Pursh states that this plant is very subject to variation. 

 The chief distinction of this seems to consist in its smaller size 

 and its panicles not being hairy in the axils. — Dry grounds. — 

 August. 



PoA ERAGROSTis. L. Branching Spear grass. 



Panicle equal, spreading; spikelets oblong, com- 

 pressed, ten to twenty flowered ; florets obtuse. 

 Syn. Briza ekagrostis. Muhl. 



A very elegant species with a large panicle of sea green 

 spikelets. These are long, tumid, numerous, and remarkably 

 even, the two rows being separated by a nearly straight line. — 

 Sandy soils, rare. — August. 



43. BRIZA. 

 Briza Canadensis. Mich. Rattlesnake grass. 



Panicle lax, spikelets erect, with from four to ten 

 florets ; calyx very small; outer valve of the corollas 

 oval, acute. 



A large grass found in meadows and readily recognized by its 

 swelling spikelets. Stem erect, smooth. Leaves rough on the 

 back. Panicle loose, with slender branches, nodding. Spike- 

 lets numerous, on distinct footstalks, ovate, erect or nodding. 

 Valves of the calyx short and narrow. Outer valve of the co- 

 rolla oval, inflated, acute, with a scarious point and margin. 

 Inner valve obtuse. — July. 

 Briza media. L. Smaller Quaking grass. 



Panicle erect ; spikelets cordate, about seven flow- 

 ered ; calyx smaller than the florets. 



A light slender grass, a foot high. Spikelets at first ovate, 

 afterwards cordate, shedding the florets easily. — Pastures, South 

 Boston, Dorchester. — June. 



Probably introduced from Europe. 



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