MANUAL OF THE GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES 



483 



thin, the lemma flat, the palea strongly convex. Low annuals, with flat blades 

 and terminal inflorescence, the burs or spikes rather closely arranged along 

 an elongate, slender axis. Type species, Tragus racemosus. Name from Greek 

 tragos, he-goat, applied by Plinius to a plant. 



Spikelets 2 to 3 mm. long, the apex scarcely projecting beyond the spines, the bur nearly 

 sessile - 1. T. berteronianus. 



Spikelets 4 to 4.5 mm. long, the acuminate apex projecting beyond the spines, the bur 

 pediceled - 2. T. racemosus. 



1. Tragus berteronianus Schult. 

 (Fig. 712.) Culms branched at base, 

 spreading, 10 to 40 cm. long; blades 

 firm, mostly less than 5 cm. long, 2 

 to 4 mm. wide, the cartilaginous 

 margin bearing stiff white hairs or 

 short slender teeth; raceme dense, 4 

 to 10 cm. long, 4 to 5 mm. thick; 

 burs 2 to 3 mm. long, nearly sessile, 

 the apex scarcely exceeding the 



spines. O (The name Nazia aliena 

 Scribn. has been erroneously applied 

 to the species.) — Dry open ground, 

 probably introduced, Texas to Ari- 

 zona, south to Argentina; also in the 

 warmer parts of the Old World; on 

 ballast at Boston and on wool waste 

 in Maine. 



Figure 712. — Tragus berteronianus. Plant, X X A ; bur and spikelet, X 5. (Hitchcock 3745, N. Mex.) 



