GENERA OF GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 
223 
115. Axonopus Beauv. 
(Anastrophus Schlecht.) 
Spikelets depressed biconvex, not turgid, oblong, usually obtuse, 
solitary, sessile, and alternate, in two rows on one side of a 3-angled 
rachis, the back of the fertile lemma turned 
from the axis ; first glume wanting ; second 
glume and sterile lemma equal, the lemma 
without a palea; fertile lemma and palea 
indurate, the lemma oblong-elliptic, usually 
obtuse, the margins slightly inrolled. 
Stolonif erous or tufted perennials, rarely 
annuals, with usually flat or folded, ab- 
ruptly rounded or somewhat pointed blades, 
and few or numerous, slender, spikelike 
racemes, digitate or racemose along the 
main axis. Species about 30, tropical 
America, 1 or 2 introduced into the 
Tropics of the Old World; 2 species in 
the United States, in moist 
soil in the Southeastern 
States. 
Type species : Milium compres- 
um Swartz. 
Axonopus Beauv., Ess. Agrost. 
12, 154. 1812. Beauvois mentions 
several diverse species that be- 
long to his new genus, the first 
being Milium compressum, which 
Fig. 134. — Brachiaria platyphylla. Plant, X £ 
X 10. 
two views of spikelot and fertile floret, 
