GRAMINE^E. 



945 



cases easily recognized by the small first or outermost glume, which 

 in some species is reduced to an almost microscopical scale. 



Spikelets 2 together, along one side of the linear, digitate 

 branches of the panicle. (Dioitakia.) 

 Spike-like branches of the panicle 2 to 4 inches long . . 1. Fingered P. 



Spike-like branches not above an inch long 2. Glabrous P. 



Spikelets crowded in a simple or branched, spike-like panicle. 

 Spike-like panicle cylindrical, the spikelets intermixed with 

 numerous long, awn-like bristles. (Setaeia.) 

 Bristles rough with reversed hairs, felt as the spike 



is drawn downwards through the hand .... 3. Rough P. 

 Bristles rough with erect hairs, felt as the spike is pushed 

 upwards through the hand. 

 Flowering glume marked with transverse wrinkles . 4. Glaucous P* 



Flowering glume not wrinkled 5. Green P. 



Panicle pyramidal, without awn-like bristles, but the spike- 

 lets sometimes coarsely awned (Echinochloa) ... 6. CocJcspur P. 



1. Fingered Panicum. Panicum sanguinale, Linn. 



(Fig. 1142.) 



(Eng. Bot. t. 849. Digiiaria, Brit. El..) 



An annual, with stems from 1 to 2 feet 

 long, more or less spreading or creeping 

 at the base, then ascending or erect. 

 Leaves flat, more or less hairy. The 

 panicle consists of 2 to 6 or rarely more, 

 simple, slender branches, 2 to 4 inches 

 long, and all spreading from nearly the 

 same point at the top of the peduncle so 

 as to appear digitate. Spikelets in pairs 

 along one side of these branches, one 

 sessile, the other shortly stalked, each 

 about 1 line long. First glume very 

 minute, almost microscopic ; the second 

 concave, and about half the length of 

 the third, which is nearly flat, and 5- 

 nerved. Flowering glume about the 

 same length, very smooth, and awnless. 



One of the commonest weeds in all 

 tropical and warm countries, becoming 

 less frequent in central Europe, and 



scarcely extending into Russian Asia beyond the Caspian. In Britain, 

 only as an introduced weed of cultivation in the south of England. FT. 

 the whole season. 



1142. 



