THK CiKAHSKS OF Tennksskk. 15 



staininate spikelct acute, those of the pistillate very broad ami 

 obtuse or eniar^inate. Grain hard, (Jiily partially enclosed by the 

 fruitinj^ glun es, 



A well-known tall and striking annual j^M'ass, with erect stems 

 and broad leaves. The terminal stamina'e inflorescence forms the 

 "spindle," and the long- projecting styles of the pistillate Howers 

 constitute the '*silk." The "cob" is formed by the union of the 

 axes of several female spikes into a much-thickened body. Species 

 one, of American orij^^in, presentiuii^ many varieties in cultivation. 



I. Zea Mays Hinn. Indian Corn or Maize. 



One of the most valued of the cultivated cereals. The many 

 varieties which have originated in cultivation have been variously 

 classified. They differ much in size, in the form, size, color and 

 hardness of the i^rain, and in the time required for ripening 

 Husk maize, in which the kernels are separately enveloped within 

 broad herbaceous glumes, may approach the native form, which 

 doubtless had its origin in tropical America. Afais de Coyote, re- 

 ferred to under Euchlcena, is said to grow wild in some parts of 

 Mexico. Some have regarded this as a distinct species, naming it 

 Zea canina. The stems in this variety are simple or, more often, 

 branched above, and the numerous small ears are borne in the up- 

 per leaf axils or along the branches The ears are two to four 

 inches long; kernels rounded and depressed or conical, the rather 

 acute apex pointing forward, in two opposite rows or irregularly 

 four to six rows. The terminal "spindle" is large, with long, droop- 

 ing branches. 



Aside from its value as a cereal, ordinary field corn is valued 

 and used by many farmers for silage, being cut for this purpose 

 when the kernels commence to "glaze." 



3. TRIPSACUM Linn. Syst. Ed. lo, ii: 1261 (1759). 



Spikelfts one-tlowered, unisexual, the staminate above the pis- 

 tillate below in the same solitary or digitate and articulate spikes^ 

 which are terminal upon the culm or its branches. Staminate 

 spikelets in pairs at each joint of the lachis, the pistillate soli- 

 tary. Glumes four, awnless, the outer ones in the male spikelets 

 firm and rigid, the inner hyaline; first glume of the pistillate 

 spikelets coriaceous becoming very hard, the second rigid, the 

 third emoty, hyaline, as is the fourth, which encloses the femnle 

 flower. Grain enclosed by the hardened lower glume within the 

 excavation of the thickened joint of the rachis. 



Tall, coarse perennials, with very long and rather broad lower 

 leaves and strong thick rootstocks. 



Species three or four, all American. One in Tennessee. 



