215 



SPARTINA ALTERNIFLORA. 



Loisel. Smith. Hookeb and A.rnott. Paenell. Kunth. 

 Babington. Macreight. 



PLATE LXX. 



Spartina glabra, Muhlemb. 



laevigata, Link. 



Tracliynotia alternifolia, De Candolle. 



The Many-Spiked Cord Grass. 



Spartina — Named from its resemblance to Li/geum spartum. 

 Alterniflora — Alternate-flowered. 



A robust reed-like Grass, growing on muddy banks of 

 rivers. Cattle are particularly fond of it; also used for thatching. 



Found on the hanks of the Itchen and Southampton river, 

 where it is very common, but not found elsewhere. A native 

 also of North America. 



Stem smooth, striated, and sheathed to the apex, bearing 

 numerous, somewhat erect, alternate, strong, flat, (except on 

 edges, where involute,) leaves, with smooth striated sheaths, the 

 upper one extending beyond its leaf. Ligule brief, blunt, and 

 jagged. Joints numerous. Leaves frequently a foot in length, 

 the upper ones extending beyond the apex of the flower spikes. 

 Inflorescence consisting of from four to thirteen spikes, which 

 are close and compact. Spikelets alternate. Rachis ending in 

 a wavy point. Spikelets of two glumes and one floret; glumes 

 exceedingly unequal, the inner one largest, membranous and 

 lanceolate; inner one five-ribbed. Floret consisting of two 



