PllAl.ARls, Linn. 
Sl'lKELE'1'8 laterally conipiesscd, in contracted nH)re or less s|)ike like })anicles ; 
rliacliilla disarticulatini;' above the i;'hunes, not or obscurely })roduced beyond tlie 
terminal tloret. Florets 3, the lower '2 minute, rudimentary, the uppermost 
hermaphrodite, enclosed by the glumes. 
Glumes subecpial, boat-sha[)ed, keeled, keel often ringed. Empty valves 
very small, subulate to lanceolate, membranous, with a callous base, or I or both 
reduced to a nn'nute callous scale ; fertile vah e thin, ultimately rigid, 5-nerved, 
awidess, ovate, acute. Pale almost as long as the valve, 2-nerved (s(jmetimes 
obscurely). Lodicules 2, hyaline. Stamens 8. Styles long, distinct ; stigmas 
plumose, exserted from the toj) of the spikelet. Gram much com[)ressed, ovate, 
free, enclosed by the valve and pale ; hilum oblong, short, embryo ecjualling j the 
length of the grain. 
Annuals on Perennials; leaves flat: panicle terminal, stitl^*, spike-like, 
subcajjitate or interruj)ted and lobed ; })edicels very short. 
Species TO, maiidv natives of the Mediterranean region, but widely dis})ersed 
as weeds ; 1 species in the boreal region and in Soutli Africa, and another from 
California to Chile. 
PLATE 448. 
PuALAias MLNOK, Ret/. ( Kl. Ca }). . Vol. VII. , }). (582). 
Nat. (Jrder (_»ianuiie;e. 
Anm'AL. — Clilms tufted, erect or ascending, geniculate, I to o feet long, 
glabrous, finelv striate, 4 to 7-noded ; internodes gradufdly longer from the base, 
u}) to 5 inches long ; sheaths shorter than the internodes, tlie loircr tight, the 
upperermost moi'e or less intlated, striate ; ligule scarious, white, obtuse, 1 to 3 
lines long ; blades linear, gradually tapering, 2 to 6 inches by 1^^ to 3 lines, flaccid, 
glabrous, smooth or almost so, margins slightly rough. 
Panicle spike-like, from subglobose to cylindric, u[) to 2^ niches long, 
cojupact ; rhachis and branches glabrous 
Si'iKELE'i'S obli([uely ellij)tic, 2 to 2^^ hues long. 
(Jlumes sube(jual, 3-nerved, acute, glabrous, white, nerves green, keel serrulate, 
suddenly contracted below tlie apex ; loivei' empty valve a minute callous scale ; 
npjjcr somewhat subulate, firmly membranous, hairy, with a callous base, up to f 
line long ; fertile valve scantily silky ; pale ciliate on the back, obscurely 2-nerved 
or almost nerveless; anthers ^ to f line long ; grain | line long. 
HSibitclt : Natal. Exact locality unknown, (rcrrard and McAeii, in Natal 
Government Herbarium, 8IU5. 
Baron F. v. Mueller says of this grass : " /■*. Minor is recommended by Dr. 
Curl for ])ermanent pastuies, as it supplies a large quantity of fine, sweet, fattening 
foliage, relislied by stock. It kee])s green far into the winter in the climate of 
New Zealand. 
Y\y; I, Spikelet; 2, ghniie : .i, iipjicr I'Lidiiiientitry valve; 4, lertilc valve; .'), pale ; G, 
pistil, stamens and kxlieules. All 'nUir^/rd. 
