35 



12. Valves broadly truncate, their broad upper halves closely 



imbricate; sides rather flat E. truncata. 



Valves rounded-obtuse, loosely imbricate; sides rather 

 - convex ... E. bergiana. 



13. Panicle more or less rigid (except sometimes in 



E. gangetica).. Valves rigidly membranous to sub- 



chartaceous .' li 



Panicle usually delicate with fine divisions, flexuous or 

 nodding, rarely rigid. Valves thinly membranous 

 except in E. dura) 2S 



14. Annual 15 



Perennial 18 



15. Leaves usually covered with minute gland-tipped hairs. 



Pedicels with a ring at the middle. Grain excavated 



in front E. annulata. 



Leaves, pedicels and grain not all as described for 

 E. annulata 16 



16. Nodes glabrous 3-4. Valves 1-1^ lin. long 17 



Nodes bearded 5-6. Valves f lin. long ... E. barbinodis. 



17. Leaf blades usually glandular along the margins. Valves 



obtuse or sub-obtuse ... E. major. 



Leaves eglandular. Valves acute or mucronulate ... 



E. pfocumbens. 



18. Blades more or less subulate, pungent. Culms leafless 



and nodeless above the base 19 



Blades neither subulate nor pungent. Culms 1 or more 

 noded and more or less leafy above the base 20 



19. Spikelets in dense, distant clusters along the stout axis 



of a panicle E. cyperoides. 



Spikelets loosely racemose, on the spiny branches of a 

 panicle E. spinosa. 



20. Panicle very broad and lax. Spikelets scattered over the 



periphery ... E. patentissima. 



Panicle, contracted, narrow. Spikelets much closer 21 



21. Rachilla breaking up. Valves rather loosely imbricate, 



very acute E. denudata. 



Rachilla persistent or sub-persistent. Valves closely 

 imbricate, less acute 22 



22. Spikelets redtlish-brown. Stamens 2 E. chapelieri. 



Spikelets not reddish-brown. Stamens 3 23 



23. Basal sheaths tomentose, woolly below ... E. sclerantha. 

 Basal sheaths glabrous or with scattered hairs 24 



