HOW TO KNOW THE GRASSES 



75a. Lemma bearing an awn between two 

 teeth, or from a point below the tip, or 

 awnless but with a split tip. Fig. 1 1 1 . . 76 



Figure 1 1 1 



75b. Lemma awnless or bearing an awn at the very tip; tip of lemma 

 never split 94 



76a. Spikelets strongly laterally flattened, 2 — 4 cm. long; lemmas V- 

 shaped in cross section 77 



76b. Spikelets not strongly flattened, round in cross section before 

 flowering; lemmas rounded on the back 78 



77a. Lemmas awnless or with a short awn less than 2 mm. long. Fig. 

 112. 

 RESCUE GRASS Bromus cathariicus Vahl 



Annual; tufted; culms up to 100 cm. long, 

 erect or spreading; leaf sheaths and blades glab- 

 rous or hairy, dark green; panicles open, up to 

 20 cm. long; spikelets 2 — 3 cm. long, with 6 — 12 

 florets; lemmas glabrous or rarely hairy, about 

 1.5 cm. long, much flattened and closely over- 

 lapping. Rescue grass got its name from its 

 winter annual habit, which makes it one of the 

 earhest forage grasses in the South. It is planted 

 in the fall for winter and spring pasture, but in 

 many areas it has escaped from cultivation and 

 is regarded as a wild plant. With good moisture, 

 it makes lush, highly palatable forage. Heavy, 

 rich soil, bottomlands. Native to South America. 

 March — June. 



Figure 1 12 



59 



