132 



Fig. 101. Dissanthelium californicum Benth.— a, The outer empty glumes; 

 b, a spikelet of 3 florets with the empty glumes removed. 



101. DISSANTHELIUM Trin. Linnsea, 10 : 305. 1836. Spikelets hermaphro- 

 dite, 2- to 4-flowered; rachilla articulated above the empty glumes and between 

 the florets, and produced beyond the flowers into a minute stipe. Outer empty 

 glumes 2, persistent, narrow, 1- to 3-nerved, acute, slightly unequal, equaling 

 orexceedingthe spikelet; flowering glumes much shorter than the empty ones, 

 broader, obtuse, awnless, subcarinate, 3-nerved, lateral nerves nearly marginal. 

 Palea a little shorter than the glume, 2-keeled, 2-toothed. Stamens 3. Styles 

 very short, distinct; stigmas rather long, loosely plumose. Grain oblong, free. 

 Low annual or perennial, slender grasses, with narrow flat leaves and loosely 

 or densely flowered terminal panicles. 



Species 3, one in California, and the others Mexican or South American. 



