HOW TO KNOW THE GRASSES 



32b. Leaf blades of the culms very narrow, 20 or more times longer 

 than wide; plants without winter rosettes of broad leaves. Fig. 315. 



Panicum depauperatum Muhl. 



Perennial; tufted; plants 15 — 40 cm. tall, 

 with hairy or smooth leaf blades, up to 15 

 cm. long and 2 — 5 mm. wide. The terminal 

 panicles, produced in May and Jime, are 

 open, pyramid-shaped, and on long, slender 

 peduncles. The secondary panicles consist 

 of a few spikelets and are concealed among 

 the basal leaf blades. The second glume 

 and sterile lemma form an empty beak which 

 protrudes beyond the tip of the fertile lemma. 

 Open dry woods and barren ground. May 

 — June. 



Figure 31 5 



33a. Ligules conspicuous, of straight hairs, 2 — 5 mm. long, 



34 



33b. Ligules 1 mm. or less long. 



35 



34a. Upper leaf sheaths glabrous; lower sheaths also usually glabrous; 

 leaf blades glabrous or sometimes hairy on the edges only. Fig. 

 316. 



Panicum lindheimeTi Nash 



Perennial; tufted, at first rather slen- 

 der, 30—100 cm. tall. The plants later 

 produce dense tufts of short, leafy 

 branches, in the axils of the leaves, with 

 small secondary panicles partially con- 

 cealed among these leaves. The culms 

 may then topple and the plants form 

 flat circular mats. Terminal panicles 

 blooming from May — July. Open dry 

 ground and dry open woods. 



Figure 316 



165 



