75 



Fig. 53. Epicampes rigens (Boland.) Benth. DEER-GRASS.— a, A spikelet; 

 6, the same with the empty glumes removed; c, empty glumes with the floret 

 above. Fig. 131 in Bui. 7 illustrates another species of this genus. 



53. EPICAMPES Presl, Rel. Heenk. 1 : 235, t. 39. 1830. Spikelets small, 1- 

 flowered. Empty glumes 2, membranaceous, slightly unequal, convex on the 

 back, carinate, often finely 3-nerved; flowering glumes 3-nerved, obtuse or 

 emarginate, a little shorter or about the length of the empty glumes, and 

 tipped with a slender, usually rather short awn, which is rarely wanting. 

 Stamens 3. Styles distinct, short; stigmas plumose. Grain included within 

 the glumes, free. Tall, perennial grasses with usually very long, spike-like, 

 many-flowered panicles. 



Species about 16, chiefly Mexican and South American. 



