HOW TO KNOW THE GRASSES 



3a. Each spikelet accompanied by one to many bristles, which are at- 

 tached below it; panicles dense, bristly, spikelike 4 



3b. Spikelets without accompanying bristles, borne in open or dense 

 panicles or racemes 1 1 



4a. Spikelets (or florets) falling, leaving the bristles on the plant 5 



4b. Spikelets falling individually or in groups, with the bristles at- 

 tached to the spikelets. Fig. 284. 



FOUNTAIN GRASS Pennisefum setaceum (Forsk.) Chiov. 



Perennial; tufted; culms up to 1 m. 

 tall, with a hairy, pinkish or lavender, 

 spikelike panicle. The panicle is made 

 up of a straight central axis, 15 — 35 cm. 

 long, bearing dense clusters of short 

 branches. At maturity, each branch 

 breaks off, carrying with it a spikelet 

 or a small group of spikelets, surround- 

 ed by a dense tuft of long (3 — 4 cm.) 

 bristles. The larger bristles may have 

 branches, feather-fashion. This is a 

 handsome ornamental grass, introduced 

 from Africa. Summer. Formerly known 

 as P. ruppeJii. 



Figure 284 Pennisetuui glaucum (L.) R. Br. (PEARL 



MILLET) has a thick spike, looking like 

 that of the cat-tails. Rarely cultivated for forage in the South. Plants 

 up to 2 m. tall. Bristles of the spikelet-groups short, barely reaching 

 the tips of the spikelets. 



5a. Bristles upwardly-barbed or smooth; panicles not clinging to ob- 

 jects * 



150 



