HOW TO KNOW THE GRASSES 



22a. Plants erect or spreading; intemodes of the culms not woolly ... 23 



22b. Plants producing elongate stolons, the internodes covered with con- 

 spicuous short white wool. Fig. 268. 



BLACK GRAMA Boufeioua eriopoda Torr. 



Perennial; plants sprawling, making 

 bushy clumps, the stems thin and weak, 

 rooting at the nodes. The 2 — 8 spikes 

 are more slender than in the other spe- 

 cies of this genus. Black grama is one 

 of the best forage grasses in the south- 

 western states, furnishing good feed 

 yearlong. Because of its ability to 

 spread by stolons, it stands grazing well 

 and recovers quickly from overuse. 

 Open dry plains and hills, 670 — 1800 m. 

 elevation. July — September. 



Figure 268 



23a. Rachis of the spike bearing spikelets to the tip; keels of glumes 

 usually not black-dotted 24 



23b. Rachis of the spike extending beyond the spikelets as a naked 

 point 5 — 8 mm. long; keel of the second glume bearing prominent 

 black dots. Fig. 269. 



HAIRY GRAMA Boufeioua hirsuta Lag. 



Perennial; tufted; culms 20 — 60 cm. tall; 

 leaves short, curly, mostly at the base of the 

 plants. Hairy grama is a highly prized 

 forage grass, widespread west of the Missis- 

 sippi, especially on dry plains and hills, from 

 670—1800 m. elevation. In the Middle West 

 it is usually foimd on dry hilltops. Hairy 

 grama furnishes good feed yearlong, but is 

 especially valued for wintertime use. July — 

 October. 



Figure 269 



142 



