TRIAXDRIA DIGYXIA 83 



Obs. 77u's is (he only species of the genus which has been introduced* It is mi- 

 litated to a considerable extent, here ,— particularly on the Mi<a-slate hills, where 

 it yields grain of a better quality; but it is generally considered far inferior fn 

 HTieat, and therefore much less of it is sown, where the land is of a quaUty to pro „ 

 duce good wheat. The seed is subject— particularly in wet seasons—to become dis- 

 eased, and enlarged ; producing what is called Krgot, or Spurred Rye. This dis- 

 eased grain is injurious to health, when made into breaf ; but has been found to 

 possess important medical properties, when judiciously exhibited. The seed in 

 soten in all the month of October. 



54. ELYMUS. L. JYutt. Gen. 118. 

 [An ancient Greek name, of obscure derivation.] 



Spihelets 2 or more at each joint of the rachis, 2 or 3 to 6-flowcrcd. 

 Glumes 2, collateral, nearly equal, subulate, (rarely 1, or wanting\ 

 J J alev lanceolate, subcoriaceous ; lower one entire, awned, or mucronatc. 

 Scales lanceolate, ciliate. 



1. E. vjrgixicus, L. Spike erect, coarctate; spikclets in pairs, about 

 :3-ilowered ; glumes linear-lanceolate, as long as the Bpikelets, not hair\ ; 

 florets smoothish. Beck, Jiot. p. 4 15. Not of FloruL Cevtr. Icon, 

 Ell. Sk. 1. tad. 12. f. 2. Specul Gray, Cram. 1. no. 60. 

 Virginian Elymus. Vulgo — Lyme Grass. Wild Rye. 



Root perennial. C////n 3 to 4 foethtsh, smooth. Leaves lanceolate, very acute, 

 nerved, broad ish, deep green, scabrous on both sides and on the margin : sheath* 

 nerved, smooth, or sometimes pubescent ; ligule very short, crenate. Spike stiffi) 

 erect, 3 to 5 inches long ; rarhis smooth (sometimes minutely hirsute). 8pikelets '■'• 

 to 5-flowered ; usually 3 perfect florets, and one or two abortive ones at the summil 

 Glumes collateral, slightly connate and somewhat thickened and cartilaginous a( 

 base, 3-nerved, attenuated into a scabrous awn at apex. Loiccr palea oblong-Ian 

 ceolate, naked, very obscurely nerved, terminating in a scabrous awn ; upper pa 

 Ira lance-oblong, slightly cmarginate, concave on the back, setaceously scabrous 

 on the two keels near the apc.\. Ovary densely and coarsely bearded at summit. 

 llab. Borders of Creeks: Brandy wine, <fcc. frequent. Fl. July. Fr. Sept. 



Obs. The plant erroneously given by this name, in FloruL Cestr. proves to be 

 E. canadensis. The spikes of this and the two following species, look something 

 like heads of Barley, at a little distance. 



2. E. canadensis, Z. Spike rather patulous and nodding at the ex- 

 tremity ; spikelcta 2 to 5-flowercd ; glumes and florets hairy. Beck, 

 Bot.p. 415. SeKeix. Gray, Gram. 1. no. 61. 



M$o f E. philadelphicus. mild. Sp. 1. p. 468. JMuhl. Catal. p. 11. 

 JPursh, Jhn. \. p. 89. 



Alsoy E. glaucifolius. Pursh, Am. 1. p. 89. Muhl. Catal. p. 14. 

 Ejusd. Gram. p. 177. JSTutt. Gen. I. p. 87. 

 Canadian Eltmus. 



Boot perennial. Cuhn 3 to 4 feet high, rather stout, glabrous. Leaves laneev 

 fatc, acute, somewhat scabrous, green (sometimes glaucous); sheaths nerved, 

 smooth ; ligule short. Spike 4 to 6 or 8 inches long, a little spreading, and often' 

 nodding at the extremity; rachis hirsute. Lower spihelets often 2-flowered 

 Glumes linear-lanceolate, awned, hirsute, 6 or 7 -nerved, 3 or 4 of them prominent 

 Lower palea hairy, awned ; upper palea rather obtuse, often emarginate, cilia** 

 on the two keels. Seed linear oblong, bearded at summit. 



