166 



FIG. 134. Elymus virginicus Linn. TJ&KKJbJJLLrlxttASS.— une 01 tne spn 

 is shown below to the left. Other species of Elymus are illustrated bv figs 

 in Bui. 7, and 611 to 623, in Bui. 17. 



301, 



134. ELYMUS Linn. Sp. PI. 83. 1753. Spikelets 2- to 6-flowered, the upper- 

 most imperfect, sessile, in pairs (rarely in 3s or 4s) at the alternate notches of 

 the continuous or articulate rachis, forming terminal spikes; rachilla articu- 

 lated above the empty glumes and between the florets. Empty glumes 2, nearly 

 equal, rigid, narrow, 1- to 3-nerved, acute or awn-pointed, persistent, and sub- 

 tending the florets like an involucre; flowering glumes shorter than the empty 

 ones, rounded on the back, obscurely 5-nerved, obtuse, acute, or awned from 

 the apex. Paleas a little shorter than the glumes, 2-keeled. Stamens 3. Styles 

 short; stigmas plumose. Ovary hairy at the apex. Grain adherent to the 

 glumes and paleas. Erect grasses with flat leaves and closely-flowered termi- 

 nal spikes. 



Species about 25, in the temperate regions of the Eastern and Western hemi- 

 spheres. North American species about 20. 



