GENERA OF GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 
69 
Type species : Melica nutans L. 
Melica L., Sp. PI. 66, 1753 ; Gen. PL, ed. 5, 31. 1754. Linnaeus describes three 
species, M. ciliata, M. nutans, and M. altissima, all species of Eurasia and all 
now retained in the genus Melica. In the Flora Lapponica, where the generic 
name was first used, the only species described is referred by Linnaeus in the 
Species Plantarum to M. nutans; hence this species is selected as the type. 
Bromelica Farwell, Rhodora 21: 77. 1919. Based on Melica, section 
Broinelica Thurb., of which the type is M. bromoides Gray (M. geyeri Munro). 
Fig. 30. — Golden-top, Achyrodes aureum. Plant, X \ ; fertile spikelet and floret, X 5. 
In our eastern species, Melica mutica Walt. (fig. 31) and M. nitens 
Nutt., the sterile lemmas form a rather prominent truncate or hood- 
