HOW TO KNOW THE GRASSES 



40b. Upper sheaths (and usually the lower ones as well) lacking long 

 hairs at their summits; panicle rather dense, the lower branches 

 usually single, bearing 11 — 40 spikelets; paleas ialling from the 

 rachilla with the lemmas. Fig. 75. 



Eragiostis multicaulis Steud. 



Weedy, tufted, annual, usually under 

 30 cm. tall. Spikelets 3 — 4 mm. long, us- 

 ually with 4 — 8 florets. After the paleas 

 fall, the minute zig-zag rachillas remain 

 as the only evidence of the spikelets. 

 This species grows mostly as a weed 

 in cities in the northeastern states. Al- 

 though introduced in the Americas, its 

 homeland is not known with certainty, 

 July — October. Also known as E. pere- 

 grina. 



Figure 75 



41a. Spikelets mostly lying closely oppressed to the panicle branches. 

 Fig. 76. 



Eragrostis pectinacea (Michx.) Nees 



Weedy annual; tufted; culms usually 20 — 30 

 cm. tall; plants branching freely from the base, 

 forming dense, erect tufts, Spikelets 5 — 8 mm. 

 long. The manner in which the spikelets lie 

 parallel to the panicle branches is characteris- 

 tic. Frequent on dry roadsides, waste ground, 

 and cultivated fields; one of the commonest 

 weedy annual grasses. July — October. 



Figure 76 



42 



