HOW TO KNOW THE GRASSES 



90b. Lemmas glabrous. Fig. 127. 



Broxnus racemosus L. 



Annual; tufted; 20 — 80 cm. tall; panicle stiff, dense, 

 erect. Bromus racemosus closely resembles the pre- 

 ceding species and hybridizes with it. It is much less 

 common in the eastern states, however. Starved plants 

 of B. commutatus resemble B. racemosus but have 

 more open panicles. This is a weedy annual of open 

 ground, introduced from Europe. Low value, short- 

 season spring forage. Spring. 



Figure 127 



91a. Panicle open, the branches spreading or drooping. 



92 



91b. Panicle dense, erect. Fig. 128. 



Bromus rubens L. 



Annual; tufted; plants 15 — 40 cm. tall; 

 panicles 4 — 8 cm. long. The Httle red- 

 dish bushy panicles look like ragged bristle 

 brushes. Common in the Intermountain 

 Region and Pacific Coast States, on open 

 dry ground. The awns may injure Hve- 

 stock by piercing the facial tissues. Poor, 

 scanty feed. March — June. Introduced 

 from the Mediterranean area. 



Figure 128 



92a. Second glume at least 12 mm. long; lemmas glabrous or sparsely 

 stiff-hairy; owns 2 — 5 cm. long 93 



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