Diplocea Barbata.
Specific definition. Stems cespitose, articulations bearded; leaves rough glaucous, neck ciliated; panicles, few flowered, female axillary; largest valvet rinervate, and ciliated as well as the awl.
Latin definition. Caulibus cespetosis, geniculis barbatis, collo ciliato, foliis scabris glaucis, paniculis paucifloris, femineis axillaribus; valva majore trinerva, aristaque ciliata.
Description. Roots, annual fibrous: stems many, unequal, rather procumbent at the base, next assurgent, rising one foot at utmost; they are geniculated, slender, brittle, weak, and smooth. The knees or joints are bearded, the sheaths are split, the neck ciliated, the leaves short, stiff, rough glaucous, linear acute, obscurely striated. The panicles have few flowers, particularly the female ones, which are axillary coarctated almost hidden, while the male are terminal and divaricate: some hermaphrodite flowers are occasionally, but seldom found among both panicles; they are all similar, differing only in the want of stamina or pistils. The valves of the exterior glumes are nearly equal oblong notched obtuse, mutic and oneneroed. The valvules or valves of the glumule (corolla or interior glume) are unequal, the largest is ciliated trinerve bifid, with a soft ciliated awl in the notch, as long as the valve: the small valve is ovate acute concave, very hairy on the back. The colour of the flower is reddish or pale red; but variable.
Observations. This plant is probably the aira purpurea of Walter, Pursh, Elliott, &c. but does not belong to that genus. It was found in Carolina, but I have found it on Long-Island, near Gravesend, Bath, Oyster-Bay, &c. on the sandy and gravelly sea-shore: it grows probably in the intermediate states. It blossoms in August and September, has no particular beauty, but a very singular appearance. The specific name of purpurea was improper, since the colour of the flowers is variable from whitish to red.
Art. IX. Floral Calendar, &c.
Art. IX. Floral Calendar, &c.
To the Editor of the American Journal of Science, &c.