16 wild rice: its uses and propagation. 



development of the prophyllum at the juncture of the branches with 

 the main axis. When this prophyllum is well developed the branch is 

 forced out and the panicle is spreading. When it is not developed the 

 branch remains erect and closely appressed to the main axis. For the 

 most part, the wild rice of the northern Minnesota lakes is of the type 

 shown in Plate V, fig. 2, having the branches of the panicle closely 

 appressed, though there are occasional panicles in which some of the 

 branches spread. On the other hand, the wild rice growing in the 

 vicinity of the District of Columbia has a very open or spreading 

 panicle. (PI. V, fig. 1.) 



The pistillate flower has two glumes and a bifurcated, much-branched 

 stigma, and two lodecules which surround and almost conceal the com- 

 paratively small ovaiy. (PL III, fig. 2.) The larger glume is five 

 ribbed and bears at its summit a stiff, usually somewhat twisted awn of 

 several times its own length, which bears numerous barbs or bristly 

 hairs. There are also short bristles borne along the edge of the glume 

 and a short distance down along each of its nerves. (PI. IV, fig. 1.) 

 All these barbs and bristles point toward the tip of the glume and are 

 probably of assistance to the seed in burying itself in the mud. The 

 smaller glume (PI. Ill, fig. 2) is much more delicate than the larger one 

 and is almost entirely inclosed by it. It has three delicate nerves and 

 its tip is so surrounded by that of the larger glume that it is only with 

 difficulty that they can be separated. When the seed reaches maturity 

 and fills the glumes thej 7 are held so firmly together that the^y must 

 be broken to be removed. 



The bifurcated st} T le and two lodecules are shown in Plate III, fig. 2. 

 The styles are so bent .as to stand at right angles to the axis of the 

 ovary. The behavior of the lodecules at the time of fertilization is 

 very interesting. By expanding, as the result of the absorption of 

 moisture, they force the glumes apart at the base (PI. IV, fig. 1), and 

 at the same time the stigmas appear on either side of the smaller 

 glume, where they are in position to catch any pollen that may be 

 blown upon the plant. As soon as fertilization is accomplished the 

 stigmas wither and the lodecules cease their pressure, the smaller glume 

 again returns within the margins of the larger one, and the ovary 

 begins to develop. 



VARIETIES. 



While distinct differences in size and form of panicle, the coloration 

 of the plant, and the size of the seed have been noticed in wild rice 

 from various regions, there is as yet insufficient evidence to justify 

 making a new species. It is impossible to say at the present time to 

 what extent these differences are due only to environment. The wild 

 rice of northern Minnesota and that growing along the lower Potomac- 

 show the extreme variations in some respects. The Potomac plants 



