490 



MISC. PUBLICATION 200, U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 



Figure 720. — Aegopogon tenellus. Plant, X Vi\ group of spikelets, X 5; lateral spikelets and central spikelet, 



X 10. (Pringle 1407, Mexico.) 



midnerve extending into a delicate 

 awn; lemma and palea thinner than 

 the glumes, extending beyond them, 

 the lemma 3-nerved, the central nerve 

 and sometimes also the lateral ones 

 extending into awns, the palea 2- 

 awned. Low, lax annuals, with short, 

 narrow, flat blades and loose racemes 

 of delicate groups of spikelets. Type 

 species, Aegopogon cenchroides Humb. 

 and Bonpl. Name from Greek aix, 



goat, and pogon, beard, alluding to 

 the fascicle of awns of the spikelets. 

 1. Aegopogon tenellus (DC.) Trin. 

 (Fig. 720.) Culms 10 to 20 cm. long, 

 usually spreading or decumbent; 

 blades 1 to 2 mm. wide; racemes 3 

 to 5 cm. long; spikelets, excluding 

 awns, about 2 mm. long; lemma and 

 palea of lateral spikelets broad and 

 rounded at summit with a single 

 delicate awn, those of the fertile 



