266 MONOCOTYLODENOUS. 



Genus III MUHLENBERGIA. 



Glumes 2, very minute fringed. PalecB ovate, gibbousF, 

 much larger than the glume&y the lower one awned. Panicle 

 simple. 



1 M Diffusa. S^em decumbent, genicalate, diffuse, comprepsed. Leaves 

 linear, scabrous. Panicle sletider, composed of alternate, appressec" racemes. 

 Glumes unequal, small, Palees unequai, pubescent at the base, the exterior 

 3-nerv( d, awn purple. 



% July. Fields. 18-20 in. 



2 M Erecta. S^em erect, simple,^ubescent. ^ Leaves pubescent. Sheaik 

 shorter than the joint, hairy at ihe throat. Pom'c/e loose. Glumes with one 

 very minute. Palem with the exterior one bearing a long awn, many nerved. 



% July. Rocky hills. 2-3 feet. 



Genus IV ALOPECURUS. 



6?Zwwe5 2, 1 -flowered, nearly equal. PalecB united, cleft 

 on one side below tiie middle. Styles often connate. 



1 A Geniculatus. ^tem geniculate, ascending, glabrous. Leaves gla- 

 brous. iSheiiths shorter than the joints, glabrous. Panicle composed of cy- 

 hndrical spikes. Glumes compressed, connate at the base, pubescent. Pa 

 lece truncate, glabrous, with an awn at the base. 



% March. In rice fields, common. 12-18 in- 



Genus V PHLEUM. 



Glumes 2, equal, mucronate, longer than the paleae. Pa' 

 Ze<K 2, included in the glume, truncate, boat shaped, without 

 awns. Flowers in dense, cylindrical spikes. 



1 P Pratense. Stem erect, glabrous, simple. Leaves flat, linear-lanceo- 

 late. Sheaths longer than the joints. GZwmes equal, hairy, ciiiate Palae 

 smaller than the glumes. Herds Grass- 



% June — July. Introduced into the Southern states. 2-3 ft. 



Genus VI PHALARIS. 



Glumes 2, nearly equil, membranaceous, keeled, l-flowered. 

 PalecB 2, coriaceous, pubescent at the base, shorter than the 

 glumes. Scales 2, opposite, ovate, lanceolate. Flozcers in 

 compound spikes. 



1 P Americana. Stem erect, branching, scabrous near the sumrnit, gen- 

 iculate near the base. Leaves glabrous. Sheath shorter than the joints. — 

 Style 1, bifid. American canary grass. 



% July — Aug. Swamps 2-5 ft. 



B. PANICE^. 



Glumes usually 2-flovvered, one of the flowers sterile. Pa- 

 lem cartilaginous, thicker than the glumes, the lower one part- 

 ly enclosing the upper, neither of thena keeled. 



