HOW TO KNOW THE GRASSES 



3b. Spikelets placed edgewise to the rachis; only the glume away from 

 the rachis present. Fig. 160. 



RYEGRASS Lolium perenne L. 



Figure 160 



Winter annual or short-lived perennial; culms 

 30 — 60 cm. tall; leaves dark green. The lemmas 

 are awnless or nearly so. Ryegrass is much 

 used in lawn seed mixtures, since the seed 

 germinates rapidly and gives a green turf quick- 

 ly, but the plants tend to die out when hot 

 weather arrives. Lawns, fields, waste places, 

 stream banks. Widely distributed through the 

 U. S. This species and the variety listed below 

 furnish good cool season forage. Introduced 

 from Europe. May — July. 



Variety italicum Parn. (ANNUAL RYEGRASS). This is barely dis- 

 tinct from the preceding species. It tends to have larger stature, more 

 florets per spikelet, and owned lemmas, but there are many inter- 

 mediates. 



Lolium temulentum L. (DARNEL). Darnel may be recognized by the 

 very long glume, which exceeds the tip of the uppermost lemma. The 

 lemmas are owned. Weed in grainfields and waste places, especially 

 on the Pacific Coast and in the Southeast. This species is sometimes 

 poisonous to livestock and human beings when eaten. Introduced 

 from Europe. 



4a. Spikelets with 3 or more florets; lemmas without stout bristles on 

 the keels 5 



4b. Spikelets with 2 florets; lemmas bearing short, stiff bristles along 

 the keel; cultivated annual. Fig. 161. 



RYE Secaie cereale L. 



Rye resembles wheat in general appear- 

 ance, but has a more slender spike. The 

 lemmas are strongly V-shaped in cross 

 section and have rows of vicious, upward- 

 ly-pointed barbs along keel and margins. 

 Rye culture is confined mostly to the 

 northern states. The plants may be found 

 scattered along roads and in waste places 

 in regions where it is grown. Summer. In- 

 troduced from Europe. Elongated blackish 

 horns protruding from spikelets are ergot, 

 a poisonous fungus used in medicine. 



Figure 161 



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