134 



Fig. 103. Eragrostis pectinacea (Michx.) Steud.— a, A spikelet; b, a 3-flowered 

 spikelet; c, a portion of a spikelet showing the persistent paleas below. Figs. 

 240 to 250, in Bui. 7, and 511 to 516, in Bui. 17, illustrate other species of Eragrostis. 



103. ERAGROSTIS Beauv. Agrost. 70. 1812. Spikelets 2- to many-flowered, 

 the uppermost flower imperfect; rachilla articulated but sometimes not break- 

 ing up until after the fall of the fruiting glumes. Empty glumes 2, more or less 

 unequal, usually shorter than the floral glumes; flowering glumes glabrous, ob- 

 tuse, or acute, awnless, 3-nerved, lateral nerves sometimes very faint. Paleas 

 shorter than their glumes, often persistent after the fall of the fruiting glume, 

 2-nerved, nerves prominent. Annual or perennial grasses with herbaceous 

 stems, of various habit from 2 to 4 inches to as many feet tall, much branched, or 

 with simple culms. Allied to Poa, but with 3-nerved flowering glumes, which 

 are destitute of any wooliness. The species are very variable and their limits 

 hard to define. 



Species about 100. in warm and temperate regions of both hemispheres. 



