GENERAL INFORMATION 103 



Spikelets laterally compressed, the florets falling from the per- 

 sistent glumes. 

 Inflorescence a panicle, spikelets pediceled. 



Plants dioecious; spikelets several-flowered Distichlis. 



Plants perfect; spikelets 1-flowered Stipa. 



Inflorescence a spike, spikelets sessile. 

 Spike solitary; spikelets several-flowered, borne on opposite 



sides of the rachis Lolium. 



Spikes several , digitate; spikelets 1-flowered, borne on one 



side of the rachis Capeiola. 



Spikelets dors ally compressed, the spikelets falling entire or to- 

 gether with joints of the rachis. 

 Spikelets all alike, solitary (borne singly) on a continuous 



rachis Axonopus. 



Spikelets of two kinds borne in pairs, one sessile and per- 

 fect, the other pediceled and sterile, the rachis articu- 

 lated Andeopogon. 



In actual work, of course, one never has so simple a 

 problem as that. With exceptions (such as are noted 

 pages 44 and 59) and closely related genera and 

 species, it often demands careful weighing of all the 

 facts to use an extended key successfully, but it is 

 excellent training in judgment. 

 . The name reached in the key is verified or rejected 

 by reading the description in the text and noting how 

 the characters of the plant agree with those specified. 

 When the description does not apply to the plant in 

 hand, one must return to the key and try again. 



