MANUAL OF THE GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES 



543 



Figuke 790. — Cathestecum erectum. Plant, X X A\ group of spikelets, central spikelet, and fertile floret, X 5. 



(Palmer 161, Mex.) 



113. CATHfiSTECUM Presl 



Spikes consisting of 3 spikelets, the 

 upper or central perfect, the 2 lateral 

 staminate or rudimentary, the spike 

 falling entire; central spikelet with 1 

 perfect floret below and 1 or more 

 reduced florets above; glumes un- 

 equal, the first a short, thin, nerve- 

 less scale in the central spikelet, nar- 



row and acuminate in the lateral 

 spikelets, the second about as long 

 as the lemma, acuminate, all usually 

 villous; lemma 3-nerved, the nerves 

 extending into awns and the inter- 

 nerves into teeth; nerves of the palea 

 extending into short awns; second 

 and third floret with a fairly well 

 developed lemma and palea, the 

 fourth floret, if present, usually re- 



