MANUAL OF THE GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES 143 



Spikelets mostly 8- to 15-flowered, stramineous to bronze. 



40. E. PILIFERA. 



Panicle at maturity about as broad as long. 



Panicle purple, the branches slender but rigid 41. E. spectabilis. 



Panicle green to leaden, the branches capillary, fragile. 



Spikelets appressed and distant along the nearly simple panicle branches. 



44. E. REFRACTA. 



Spikelets on long pedicels. 



Lemmas 2 mm. long 42. E. elliottii. 



Lemmas 3 mm. long 43. E. acuta. 



Figuke 186. — Eragrostis obtusiflora. Plant, X /^» two views of floret, X 10. (Tourney, Ariz.) 



Section 1. Cataclastos Doell 



Rachilla of spikelets disarticulating 

 between the florets at maturity. 

 1. Eragrostis obtusiflora (Fourn.) 

 Scribn. (Fig. 186.) Culms erect or as- 

 cending, firm, wiry, 30 to 50 cm. tall, 

 from stout creeping rhizomes with 

 closely imbricate hard spiny-pointed 

 scales; sheaths pubescent or pilose at 



the throat ; blades firm, glaucous, flat, 

 becoming involute at least toward the 

 spiny-pointed tip, 5 to 10 cm. long, 2 

 to 3 mm. wide at base; panicle 5 to 15 

 cm. long, the rigid simple branches 

 ascending, loosely flowered, 5 to 8 

 cm. long; spikelets pale or purplish, 

 6- to 12-flowered, 8 to 12 mm. long, 

 the pedicels about 1 mm. long; 

 glumes acute, 3 and 5 mm. long; lem- 



