HOW TO KNOW THE GRASSES 



26b. Glumes swollen near the base. Fig. 211. 



NIT GRASS Gastridium ventricosum (Gouan) S. & T. 



Annual; tufted, shallow-rooted; culms 20 — 55 

 cm. tall; panicles dense, cigar-shaped, with 

 glossy silvery or yellowish spikelets. The min- 

 ute floret is concealed by the glumes. Weed 

 of fields and waste places, common on the 

 Pacific Coast. Introduced from Europe. May 

 —July. 



Figure 21 1 



27a. Rachilla prolonged as a short hairy bristle be- 

 hind the palea (CARE). Fig. 212 28 



27b. Rachilla not prolonged behind the palea. 



Figure 212 



30 



28a. Awn straight, hidden within the glumes; hairs nearly as long as 

 the lemma 29 



28b. Awn bent sidewise, protruding from the glumes; hairs shorter 

 than the lemma. Fig. 213. 



PINEGRASS Calamagrostis rubescens Buckl. 



Perennial; culms in tufts, 60—100 cm. 

 tall; plants producing rhizomes; leaf 

 blades scabrous, 2 — 4 mm. wide, flat or 

 somewhat rolled; panicles dense and 

 cylindrical, 7 — 15 cm. long, pale or pur- 

 pUsh in color; glumes 4 — 5 mm. long; 

 sterile rachilla joint about 1 mm. long, 

 its hairs about twice as long. While 

 common, pinegrass is lov.^ in palatabili- 

 ty, especially for sheep, and is Httle 

 grazed except when young and green. 

 The plants make a strong, tough turf 

 which resists heavy grazing and tram- 

 pling. Most of the reproduction is by 

 rhizomes. Coniferous forests, up to 

 3300 m. elevation. June — August. 



Figure 21 3 



113 



