119 



Fig. 88. Cathestecum prostratum Presl.— a, A group of 3 spikelets; b, a 

 single spikelet; c, the outer empty glume; d, inner empty glume; e and g, 

 flowering glumes; /, a palea. 



88. CATHESTECTJM Presl, Rel. Haenk. 1: 294, t. l&. 1830. Plants polyg- 

 amo-dioecious. Spikelets in deciduous clusters of threes, almost sessile along 

 the continuous rachis of a simple spike; lateral spikelets 1- to 2-, the central 

 2- to 4-flowered, flowers hermaphrodite. Two lower glumes empty, unequal, 

 mucronate or short-awned, the second glume of the central spikelet briefly 

 2-lobed, ehort-awned between lobes; flowering glumes longer, deeply 4-cleft, 

 awned between the hyaline divisions. Palea shorter than the glumes, briefly 

 2- to 3-dentate at apex. Stamens 3. Styles distinct; stigmas plumose (really 

 aspergilliform) . A caespitose grass extensively creeping by stolons, sending up 

 from the rooting nodes leafy tufts of erect flowering branches. 



Species 1, in Mexico, extending into western Texas. 





