HOW TO KNOW THE GRASSES 



7a. Rachis of each spike extending beyond the spikelets as a naked 

 point; second glume owned. Fig. 252. 



Dactylocteniuzn aegyptium (L.) Richt. 



Annual; tufted; culms upright or spread- 

 ing out and forming mats, rooting at the 

 lower nodes. The seeds (ovary wall is 

 lost) are brownish, about the size of a 

 pinhead, and oddly sculptured. Weed 

 on cultivated ground. This species was 

 apparently once planted by the Indians 

 along the lower Colorado River for 

 grain. Introduced from Europe. Sum- 

 mer, or almost yearlong in the far South. 



Figure 252 



7b. Rachis of the spikes not extended beyond the spikelets; glumes 

 without awns. Fig. 253. 



GOOSEGRASS Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn. 



Annual; culms up to 50 cm. long, spreading 

 horizontally or standing erect; plants often 

 making flat mats. Goosegrass is a very com- 

 mon weed of fields, gardens, paths, and dis- 

 turbed ground generally in the southeastern 

 United States. Introduced from the warmer 

 sections of the world. March — October. 



Figure 253 



8a. Spikelets with a single floret, without sterile or rudimentary ones 

 above it 9 



8b. Spikelets with 1 or more modified sterile florets above the perfect 

 one 14 



134 



