MANUAL OF THE GRASSES OF THE WEST INDIES 385 
106. ANDROPOGON L.., Sp. Pl. 1045. 1753. Brarparass 
Spikelets in pairs at each node of an articulate rachis, one sessile 
and perfect, the other pedicellate and either staminate, neuter, or 
reduced to the pedicel, the rachis and the pedicels of the sterile spike- 
lets often villous, sometimes conspicuously so; glumes of the fertile 
spikelet coriaceous, narrow, awnless, the first rounded, flat, or con- 
cave on the back, several- nerved, the median nerve weak or wanting: 
sterile lemma hyaline: fertile lemma hyaline, narrow, usually bearing 
a bent and twisted awn from the apex or from between apical lobes; 
pedicellate spikelet usually awnless, sometimes staminate and about 
as large as the sessile spikelet, sometimes consisting of one or more 
reduced glumes, sometimes wanting, only the pedicel present. Usu- 
ally coarse perennials, with solid culms, the spikelets arranged in 
racemes, these numerous, ageregate on an ‘exserted peduncle, or ‘single, 
in pairs, or sometimes in threes or fours, the common peduncle 
usually enclosed by a spathelike sheath, these sheaths often numerous, 
forming a compound inflorescence, usually narrow, but sometimes in 
dense subcorymbose masses. 
Lower 1 or 2 pairs of spikelets of the raceme differing from those above in con- 
sisting of two similar staminate spikelets. Racemes 1 to several, digitate 
or aggregate; sessile and pediceled spikelets alike in size and shape, the former 
(when fertile) awned, the latter awnless. (Section DIcHANTHIUM). 
Racemes several, on slender flexuous peduncles_____- 1. A. CONDYLOTRICHUS. 
Racemes, if more than 1, on short straight peduncles. 
_ Racemes usually 3 to 6; spikelets slightly overlapping, the pedicels usually 
INS DATMEVICI plo ark ON stein Cast al) Alo i kM 2. A. ANNULATUS. 
Racemes usually 1, sometimes 2, rarely more; spikelets closely overlapping, 
the pedicels hidden. 
Culmsyelabrous-below racemes: === 222-2 2 ae 3. A. CARICOSUS. 
Culms pubescent below racemes____......-.----------- 4. A. NODOSUS. 
Lower pairs like the others, the sessile spikelet fertile, usually awned, the pediceled 
ae staminate or neuter, usually smaller than the sessile one, often much 
reduced. 
Racemes solitary at the ends of the culms and branches, from bladeless sheaths 
or spathes. (Section ScHIzACHYRIUM, except A. virgatus of section 
HYPOGYNIUM.) 
Plants annual. 
Culms weak, decumbent, trailing or vinelike; blades obtuse, mostly 1 to 3 
em long: peduncles capillary Sa Bcd 6 Ue elon gl DFG Pias 5. A. BREVIFOLIUS. 
Culms erect, relatively stout; blades acute, mostly 5 to 10 em long; 
peduncles slender but not ‘capillary Wa See 6. A. MALACOSTACHYUS. 
Plants perennial. 
Rachis slender, nearly straight or usually conspicuously zigzag, the 
spikelets spreading. 
Blades flat; racemes very numerous in a corymbose panicle; plants 
FCHIOUIRG RE ene er tate are Ales Beth Ay i Se 7. A. CONDENSATUS. 
Blades folded or involute; racemes few; plants slender (tall in A. reediz). 
(See also A. ur banianus. ) 
Racemes densely white-villous with long hairs; awns 1 to 2 em long. 
A. GRACILIS. 
Racemes sparsely or moderately villous; awns mostly less than 1 cm 
long. 
Pedicellate spikelet about as long as the sessile; racemes moderately 
sii JCC WESS: Lag, RT a a a ee AR i Ee 2 ee 9. A. REEDII. 
Pedicellate spikelet much reduced; racemes sparsely villous. 
1 A. CUBENSIS. 
Rachis straight, more or less thickened, the spikelets appressed or narrowly 
ascending. 
Spikelets awnless. 
Racemes about 1 cm long, partly enclosed in the subtending spathe, 
numerous, aggregate in a narrow panicle_-_-_-_- 17. <A. VIRGATUS. 
