THE COMMON WHEAT.
591
Trit'icum vulga're, var. ft, hybernum, Kunth, (T. hybemum, L. E. D. )—
Common Wheat.
Sex Syst. Triandria, Digynia.
(Farina; farina seminum: Amyiura ; seminum, ferula, L .; Amylum j ex Tritico hybenio, E. 3
Farina seminum, I>.)
History. —In the earlier ages it was an esteemed article of food(Levit. ii.l, and is frequently spoken of by Hippocrates [De Dieeta).1‘liny (Hist. Nat. xviii. 12) describes several kinds of it.
Botany. Gen. Char. — Spikelets three or many flowered ; the fruc-tiferous rachis generally articulated, flowers distichous. Gimmes two,Nearly opposite, almost equal, awnless or awned : the upper one bica-tinate ; the keels more or less aculeato-ciliate. Stamina three. OvariumPyriform, hairy at the apex. Stigmata two, terminal, subsessile, feathery ;"’ith long, simple, finely-toothed hairs. Scales two, generally entire andc diated. Caryopsis externally convex, internally concave, and markedV a deep furrow, distinct, or adhering to the paleic (Kunth).
Sp. Char. — Spike four-cornered, imbricated; with a tough rachis.Spikelets generally four-flowered. Glumes ventricose, ovate, truncate,•Hucronate, compressed below the apex, round, and convex at the back,' v, th a prominent nerve. Flowers awned or awnless. Grains loose.Kunth).
«■ astivum: animal; glumes awned.
6- hybemum : biennial; glumes almost awnless.
. Hab. —It is a native of the country of the Baschkirs, and is cultivated111 Europe .
Besides the above two varieties, no less than five other kinds of Triti-tU| n have been cultivated for their grain.
Fig.92.