570 FLORA OF TEXAS. 



erect, terete, subulate, 6-12-flowered ; scales scattered, ap- 

 pressed, obloug, mucronate, fiuely-nerved ; rachis very 

 slender, flexuous ; ?i?/^ oblong, acute; ciihns tufted, fill- 

 form, acute-angled, longer than the bristle-like leaves ; in- 

 volucre 2-leaved, tlie lower one elongated and erect. Ciihiis 

 4-10' high, tumid at the base; spikelets 4"-6" long. 

 Perennial. 



** spikelets numerous in compact globular or oblong heads. 

 t Perennials ; culms tumid or tuberous at the base. 



C. RETROFRACTUS, ToiT. Umbel of about 8 slender 

 (2-6' long) rays, longer than the involucre ; heads obo- 

 vate ; spikelets subulate, reflexed, terete ; scales 4-5, the 

 two lower ones ovate and empty, the upper lanceolate, 

 acute; wz^Hinear-oblong ; cuhn tall (2°-4°), downy and 

 roughish, like the broadly linear leaves. (Mariscus retro- 

 fractus, Vahl.) Barren sandy soil. July-September. 

 Leaves much shorter than the culm. 



KYLLINGIA, L. 



Spikelets compressed, mostly 1-flowered; scales com- 

 monly 4, imbricated in two rows, the two lower ones small 

 and empty, the third perfect, the fourth imperfect ; 

 perianth none ; stamens 1-3 ; style elongated, 2-cleft ; nut 

 lenticular ; culms jointless, 3-angled, leafy at the base ; in- 

 volucre 3-5-leaved ; spikelets collected in single or cl^ustered 

 sessile heads. Plants odorous. 



K. PU3IILA, Michx. Heads (green) mostly 3, globose or 

 ovate; spikelets 1-flowered, ovate-lanceolate, acute at each 

 end; scales 3, the lowest minute, the middle one ovate, 

 compressed, mucronate, mostly serrulate on the keel, in- 

 closing the upper one ; nut obovate ; stamens 2 ; culms 

 weak, acute-angled ; leaves 2i\\(\. 3-4-leaved involucre Yme^v. 

 "Wet places. July-September. Culms tufted, 4'-10' high. 

 Annuals. 



