HOW TO KNOW THE GRASSES 



31b. Lemmas 2.4 — 3.4 mm. long; spikelets 4 mm. or more long; panicle 

 elongated, ellipsoid. Fig. 67. 



SAND LOVEGRASS 



Eragrostis trichodes (Nutt.) Wood 



Perennial; tufted; 80—120 cm. tall. 

 The open, cylindrical panicles may 

 make up half the total height of the 

 plant. The spikelets frequently have 

 purplish florets and yellow glumes. 

 Sandy plains and open woodlands. 

 Sand lovegrass has high forage value, 

 but has been virtually destroyed by 

 overgrazing in many of the areas where 

 it once abounded. August — September. 



EragrosUs curvula (see Fig. 69) some- 

 times has smooth sheaths and might be 

 keyed out here. It may be recognized 

 by the lead-colored, short-pedicellate 

 spikelets. 



Figure 67 



32a. Sheaths and often blades bearing hairs, each 

 of which arises from a little blister. Fig. 68. ... 33 



32b. Hairs of sheaths not arising from little blisters 

 34 



33a. Spikelets 5 — 10 mm. long; lemmas 2.4 — 3.4 mm. 

 long 31b 



Figure 68 



33b. Spikelets 2 — 5 mm. long; lemmas 2.0 — 2.4 mm. long. 



35 



34a. Panicle not over twice as long as wide; usually 15 cm. wide or 

 wider 35 



37 



