Flowering glume and palea strongly compressed.--Species 3, two wild in Central Africa, the third (_O. sativa_ L., rice) cultivated in various regions. The seeds are used for food and for the preparation of meal, starch, oil, and brandy, the straw for plaiting and for the manufacture of paper and brush-ware. =Oryza= L. 7. (2.) Flowering glume and palea (if present) stiff or at length hardened, firmer than the outer glumes and awnless, at least in the hermaphrodite flowers. Lowest glume usually smaller than the others. Rachis of the spike or raceme or branches of the panicle rarely jointed. [Tribe PANICEAE.] 8 Flowering glume and palea (if present) membranous, thinner than the outer glumes. 26 8. Flowers unisexual, monoecious. Spikelets in panicles, the male in the lower portion of the panicle or in special panicles. Outer glumes in the male spikelets none, in the female 2. Lodicules 3. Leaves net-veined.--Species 2. Tropical and South-East Africa. =Olyra= L. Flowers hermaphrodite or polygamous; in the latter case spikelets arranged in spikes. 9 9. Spikelets partly hermaphrodite, partly male or neuter. 10 Spikelets all hermaphrodite. 11 10. Spikelets in short spikes consisting of a lower hermaphrodite and two or three upper neuter spikelets; spikes unilateral on the flattened, leaf-like rachis of a compound spike. Stem erect. Leaves lanceolate, sagittate.--Species 1. Southern West Africa (Angola). =Phyllorhachis= Trimen. Spikelets in a simple spike consisting of 1-2 lower female and 4-6 upper male spikelets; rachis of the spike enlarged at the base, but not leaf-like. Stem creeping.--Species 1. Madagascar. =Thuarea= Pers. 11. Spikelets in short spikes sunk in pits on a broad rachis. Stem creeping.--Species 4. Tropical and South Africa. Used for binding the sand on riverbanks or as fodder; also in medicine. =Stenotaphrum= Trin. Spikelets not sunk in pits on a broad rachis. 12 12. Spikelets surrounded or subtended singly or 2-3 together by an involucre formed of one or several bristles or spines or of 2 toothed glumes inserted below the two empty glumes. 13 Spikelets without an involucre formed of bristles, spines, or toothed glumes. Empty glumes 1-3. Stigmas 2, feathery. 16 13. Involucre formed by two toothed glumes. Stigma 1, papillose. Aquatic herbs.--Species 1. Abyssinia. =Odontelytrum= Hack. Involucre formed by one or several bristles or spines. Stigmas 2, feathery. 14 14. Axis of the spikelet jointed above the persistent involucre. Bristles of the involucre stiff and rough. Styles free from the base. Spikelets in spike-like panicles.--Species 30. Some of them (especially _S. italica_ Beauv.) are cultivated as cereals. =Setaria= Beauv. Axis of the spikelet jointed below the involucre or not jointed; involucre falling together with the spikelet; rarely axis jointed above the persistent involucre, but then styles united at the base. 15