160 



Fig. 128. Lepturus filiformis (Roth) Trin. SLENDER HARD-GRASS.— a, A 

 portion of a spike bearing 3 florets; b, a single floret; c, a flowering glume; d, 

 palea; e, the lodicules. Fig. 589 in Bui. 17 illustrates another species of this 

 genus. 



128. LEPTURUS R. Br. Prodr. Fl. Nov. Holl. 1 : 207. 1810. Spikelets 1- to 2- 

 flowered, solitary, sessile, alternate in excavations of the jointed rachis of the 

 spike; rachilla very short, articulated above the empty glumes. Empty glumes 

 2, or rarely only 1, inclosing the flower, equal, hard or coriaceous, 5-nerved, 

 acute, placed in front of the spikelet, except in the terminal one; flowering 

 glumes much smaller than the empty ones, thin and hyaline, keeled. Palea 

 2-nerved, hyaline. Stamens 3 or fewer. Ovary smooth. Styles short, distinct; 

 stigmas plumose. Caryopsis narrow, smooth, included within the glumes, free. 

 Low annuals, or rarely tall perennials, with narrow, straight, or curved terminal 

 spikes. 



Species 5 or 6, widely distributed in the Eastern Hemisphere; 1 sparingly 

 introduced into North America. 



