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



TRIBE 6. ZOYSIEAE 



86. TRAGUS Hall. 



(Nazia Adans.) 



Spikelets 1 -flowered, in small spikes of 2 to 5, the spikes subsessile, 

 falling entire, the spikelets sessile on a very short zigzag rachis, the 

 first glumes small, thin, or wanting, appressed to the rachis, the second 



Figure 998.— Tragus berteronianus. Plant, X H; bur and spikelet, X 5. (Hitchcock 3745, N.Mex.) 



glumes of the two lower spikelets strongly convex with 3 thick nerves 

 bearing a row of squarrose, stout hooked prickles along each side, 

 the two second glumes forming the halves of a little bur, the upper 1 

 to 3 spikelets reduced and sterile; lemma and palea 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. 



