50 



FrG. 35. Homalocenchrus oryzoides (Sw.) Poll. (Lccrsia oryzoides Sw.) . RICE 

 CUT-GRASS. — a, A branch of the inflorescence bearing several spikelets; b, c, 

 spikelets; d,e, grain. Figures 74, 75, 77, and 78 in Bui. 7 illustrate other species 

 of this genus. 



35. HOMALOCENCHRTJS Mieg., in Hall. Hist. Stirp. Helv. 2 : 201. 17G8. 

 {Lccrsia Swartz.) Spikelets 1-flowered, hermaphrodite, strongly flattened 

 laterally, articulated with the pedicels. Empty glumes, none; flowering glume 

 chartaceous, usually bristly-ciliate along the keel,awnless. Palea 1 similar in 

 texture and about as long as the flowering glume, but much narrower. Peren- 

 nials, with rough leaves and open paniculate inflorescence. 



Species, 5 or 6, throughout the tropical and temperate regions of the world. 



1 It is a question whether the 1-nerved bract here termed the palea, is a true 

 palea— the prophyllum of the minute floral branch — or a proper glume attached 

 to the rhachilla or primary axis of the spikelet. 



