Perennial tufted grasses, with flat leaf-blades, and loose open panicles. Spikelets 1-flowered, articulated to the pedicels below the empty scales, the outer 3 scales membranous, the first scale short, the second about as long as the spikelet, the third scale bearing in its axil a much enlarged and inflated papery palet which exceeds in length the fourth scale, the fourth scale indurated in fruit and enclosing a palet of similar texture and a perfect flower. Stamens 3. Styles long, united only at the base. Stigmas plumose. [Derivation unknown.]

Species 2. Type species: Panicum hians Ell.

1. Steinchisma Hians (Ell.) Nash. Gaping Panic-Grass

Fig. 388

S. hians Nash, in Small, Fl. SE. U. S. 105. 1903. Panicum hians Ell. Bot. S. C. & Ga. 1: 118. 1817.

Glabrous, culms erect, 1°-2 1/2° tall, generally simple, sometimes creeping at base, smooth. Blades 3-5' long, l"-3" wide, acuminate, generally erect; panicle 3'-8' long; branches few, generally spreading, the longer ones often drooping, the lower naked below the middle; spikelets about 1" long; fourth scale exceeded by the third and its usually empty palet which is much enlarged, generally forcing the spikelet wide open.

In moist ground, North Carolina to Missouri and Oklahoma, south to Florida and Texas. Aug.-Sept.