The difference between a spike and a raceme is the presence or absence of a pedicel (small stalk) supporting each spikelet. These pedicels can be absent (a true spike), very short, or mixed (some short or all but absent, others longer) on the same rachis. Although an important diagnostic character, without magnification it can be difficult to discern the presence or absence of pedicels, or even short branches, in some grass inflorescences. Panicles or racemes with pedicels present but short and/or having the spikelets pressed up against the axis are considered "spike-like".

Projections on spikelets are hard bristles or spines. Inflorescence a cylindrical raceme up to 2.6 in (7 cm) long, of somewhat widely-spaced and armed, reddish to purplish burs that detach completely, catching on skin or clothing. { small, bunching grass typically found in drier areas, often near the ocean shore (Fig. 10B). Common sandbur, ‘ume‘alu, mau‘u kukū [HAW - NAT]; burgrass, sand-bur [GUM - NAT] [FACU] (see also [49])

   Cenchrus echinatus L.

Tragus berteronianus Schult.

Inflorescence spike-like, but rachis not thickened to prominence over spikelets, rather more typically narrow and partly or completely hidden by spikelets

Inflorescence an elongate spike of many-flowered spikelets arranged singly up, and pressed against, the culm (See Fig. 10E, below). Lolium sp. (ryegrasses)

Grass clumping, not mat-forming. Inflorescence either a spike, raceme, or spike-like panicle. Leaves not needle-like, wider than 0.1 in (2.5 mm)

First glume auriculate (winged) at top, forming a shield-like cover over floret. Second spikelet of pair sterile, as a narrow, finger-like appendage opposite spikelet with perfect floret. Leaf blades short and narrow, but not needle-like. { mat-forming by short-noded leafy stolons; a popular lawn grass. Centipede grass, Honan grass [HAW - ORN] [GUM - ORN]

Eremochloa ophiuroides (Munro) Hack.

First glume not winged, produced to a sharp point at tip. Leaves somewhat 2-ranked. Inflorescense a single raceme typically 1/2 in long, but up to 1.75 in (4.4 cm) and projecting (or not) a little above a dense turf of narrow (or even needle-like) leaves (blades under 0.1 in or 2.5 mm across). Shiny spikelets on pedicels about 1/2 spikelet length. { A small, typically, mat-forming (running), decorative or lawn grass. Zoysia grass

 Anthoxanthum odoratum L.

Inflorescence either a spike, raceme, or spike-like panicle. Spikelets rounded (not flattened in section) and twice or less as long as broad

Inflorescence a narrow (under 0.2 in or 5 mm), spike-like, simple panicle of crowded, awnless, spikelets completely surrounding and concealing the rachis, except perhaps at the base of the panicle, the latter up to 2.8 in (7 cm) long and held well above mostly basal leaves. { Small tufted grass, found in open wet areas (Fig. 10D). Glenwood grass [HAW - NAT] [GUM -IND]

   Sacciolepis indica (L.) Chase

Inflorescence a long (exceeding 3 in and typically much longer) panicle of small and very crowded spikelets. Dropseeds and rattail grasses. Sporobolus spp.

Lemmas not awned. Leaf blades narrow, around 1/8 in (4 mm) or somewhat less in width. { Clumping perennial medium-size grass found in pastures and disturbed sites. Perennial ryegrass [HAW - NAT]

Lolium perenne L.

Upper (second) glume as long as spikelet. Florets elliptic to ovate, swollen. { Annual or short-lived clumping perennial, medium or a little larger, found in pastures and disturbed sites but rare (on O‘ahu only). Ryegrass [HAW - NAT]

Lolium temulentum L.

Upper (second) glume much shorter than spikelet (Fig. 10E). Florets not swollen. { Annual or short-lived clumping perennial, medium or a little larger, found in pastures and disturbed sites as high as 8000-ft elevation. Italian ryegrass [HAW - NAT]

   Lolium multiflorum Lam.

Figure 10G. Scanned image of Tragus berteronianus