HOW TO KNOW THE GRASSES 



41b. Splkelets when mature diverging strongly from the panicle branch- 

 es; spikelets 0.7 — 1.4 mm. wide; lateral nerves of lemmas obscure. 

 Fig. 77. 



Eragrostis pilosa (L.) Beauv. 



Annual; tufted; delicate; culms 10 — 50 

 cm. tall; panicles open, ellipsoidal. The 

 tiny spikelets, 3 — 5 mm. long, stand out 

 away from the main panicle branches 

 on hair-like pedicels. Leaf blades 1 — 3 

 mm. wide, flat. Introduced from Europe. 

 July — September. 



Figure 77 



42a. Spikelets very strongly laterally compressed, the lemmas keeled 

 43 



42b. Spikelets not strongly compressed, the lemmas rounded on the 



back 47 



43a. Spikelets with 1 — 5 empty lemmas below the fertile ones; panicles 



drooping; spikelets large, 2 — 4 cm. long 44 



43b. Spikelets without empty lemmas below the fertile ones; spikelets 



small or large ' 45 



44a. Spikelets with 4 — 5 empty lemmas; leaf blades thick and involute, 



less than 1 cm. wide. Fig. 78. 



SEA OATS 



Uniola paniculata L. 



Perennial, producing strong rhizomes; plants 

 up to 1 m. tall; panicles dense, nodding, 20 — 

 40 cm. long. The very flat spikelets of the 

 Uniolas are strikingly ornamental. Sea oats 

 inhabits the coastal sand dunes along the 

 Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico and the West 

 Indies. The panicles are frequently harvested 

 and used for winter bouquets and display- 

 window ornaments. Spikelets may be found 

 on the plants at most seasons of the year. 



Figure 78 



43 



