170 



Fig. 137. Arundinaria macrosperma Michx. CANE. — a, A floret from one of 

 the many-flowered spikelets; b, palea of same; c, the grain. 



137. ARUNDINARIA Michx. Fl. Bor. Am. 1: 73. 1803. Spikelets 2- to many, 

 flowered, large, laterally compressed, in racemes or panicles; the rachilla 

 articulated above the empty glumes and between the florets; flowers her- 

 maphrodite, or the upper imperfect. Lower empty glumes unequal, the 1st 

 sometimes wanting; flowering glumes longer than the empty ones, keeled, 

 many-nerved, acute, or mucronate-pointed. Paleas as long as the glumes, 

 prominently 2-keeled. Lodicules3. Stamens 3. Styles 2 or 3; stigmas plumose. 

 Grain oval or narrowly oblong, furrowed. Tree-like or shrubby grasses, with 

 perennial simple or branched culms, and flat leaves which are shortly petio- 

 ]ate and articulated with the sheaths. 



Species, about 20, natives of Asia and America, 2 in the southern United 

 States. Several eastern species have been introduced into gardens and culti- 

 vated for ornament. 



