147 



FIG. 116. Lamarckia aurea (L.) Moench. GOLDEN-TOP. 

 let; b, the 1-flowered fertile spikelet; c, pistil. 



-a, A sterile spike- 



116. LAMARCKIA Moench, Meth. 201. 1791. Spikelets of two forms; fascicu- 

 late; the terminal one of each fascicle fertile, the others (1 to 3) below, linear, 

 and consisting of many distichously imbricated obtuse empty glumes. Fertile 

 spikelet 1-flowered, with the rachilla prolonged into a slender stipe, and bear- 

 ing a small empty awned glume or reduced wholly to an awn. Lower empty 

 glumes 2, 1-nerved, acuminate or short-awned, slightly unequal; flowering 

 glume broader, 1-nerved, bearing just below the apex a slender straight awn. 

 Palea narrow, 2-keeled. Stamens 3. Styles short, distinct; stigmas elongated, 

 barbellate. A low annual grass 1-3 dm (4'-12') high, with flat leaves, and elegant 

 one-sided panicles of crowded fasciculate spikelets, the fertile spikelets being 

 almost wholly concealed by the more numerous sterile ones. 



Species 1. Southern Europe and Southwestern Asia. Introduced and appai- 

 ently spontaneous in Southern California. A very attractive and favorite orna- 

 mental grass. 



