Weatherwax: The Oriental Maydeae 15 
pistillate spikelet is longer and thinner than in Polytoca. The 
middle portion of this glume has a conspicuous papillose, or 
almost tuberculate, roughening (Figs. 33, 34). The basal 
plug of parenchyma is present as in Polytoca (Fig. 33). 
No sexual anomalies have been noted in Sclerachne, and it 
seems not to be materially affected sexually by environmental 
conditions. 
Chionachne 
My investigation of Chionachne has been limited to a study 
of good herbarium specimens of C. cyathopoda Fr.M., and 
fragmentary specimens of one or two other species, from Aus- 
tralia. This plant closely resembles Polytoca and Sclerachne 
in vegetative habit, and its inflorescence combines some of 
the characteristic features of both. 
The inflorescence is the same modified panicle seen in the 
other genera (Fig. 24). The pistillate spikelets, usually five 
or six in number, are borne in a dorsiventral row on the lower 
part of the rachis. Above these are twenty or more staminate 
spikelets. The pairing of the spikelets, and fusion of the 
pedicel with the rachis is the same as in Polytoca and 
Sclerachne. The base of the inflorescence is enclosed in a 
loose spathe. 
The outer glume of the pistillate spikelet is less indurated 
than that of Sclerachne, but otherwise the two are much alike 
Figs. 37 and 38. Pistillate spikelet of Chionachne. P, pistillate 
spikelet ; R, rachis ; St, sterile pedicel ; Sp, base of spathe, which has been 
removed; N, nodal pith. 
