107 



Fig. 81. Beckmarmia erucaeformis (L.) Host. SLOUGH-GRASS.— a, A por- 

 tion of a branch of the inflorescence showing the crowded, imbricate spikelets; 

 6, a dorsal view of the same; c, a spikelet; d, flowing glume. 



81. BECKMANNIA Host Gram. 3: 5, t. 6. 1805. Spikelets 1- to 2-flowered, 

 rather broad, compressed, closely imbricated in 2 rows along one side of the 

 rachis of the short spikes; rachilla articulated below the empty glumes. Empty 

 glumes 2, inflated, boat-shaped, obtuse or abruptly pointed, nearly equal; 

 flowering glumes narrow, rather firmer in texture than the empty ones, and 

 acute or mucronate-pointed. Palea hyaline, 2-keeled, nearly as long as the 

 glume. Stamens 3. Styles short, distinct, stigmas plumose. Caryopsis oblong, 

 inclosed within the rigid fruiting glume and palea, free. A rather tall, erect 

 grass, with flat leaves, and a terminal, elongated inflorescence, somewhat 

 resembling that of Panicum colonum. 



Species 1, northern Europe, Asia, and North America. 



