56 



No. 174. Panicum sulcatum Anbl. Palm-Leafed-grass. 



A South American perennial, 4 to 6 feet higli, with palm-like leaves 1 to 2 inches 

 broad and 16 to 20 inches long, and long, terminal, narrow panicles which taper 

 above and below. The leaves of this grass are deeply sulcata or plicate, like 

 those of the Indian P. ji^icaium. Sometimes cultivated for ornament in green- 

 houses or upon lawns. 



No. 175. Panicum texanum Buckl. Colorado-grass. (Fig. 67.) 



A branching, leafy annual, 2 to 4 feet high, with a narrow panicle 6 to 8 inches long 



terminating the main stem and branches. It is nutritious, of rapid growth, and 



upon good soil yields a large amount of excellent hay, and may be cut twice or 



even three times during the season. It reseeds itself readily. It prefers rich, 



Fid. 67.— Colorado- jrrass (Panicum 

 texanum). 



Fig. 68. — Switchgra.is (Panicuin 

 virgattnn). 



alluvial soil along river bottoms, etc., and upon such laud withstands drought 

 well. In certain parts of Texas, particulii rly in the counties along the Colorado 

 River, in the central part of the State, where it appears to be native and where 

 it often conies up in cultivated fields after the removal of corn or other grain 

 crops, it is spoken of in the highest terms as a hay-producing grass. 



No. 176. Panicum virgatum Linn. Switch-grass. (Fig. (!«.) 



A tall, native perennial, 3 to 5 feet high, with strong, creeping rootstocks, long, flat 

 leaves, and ample, spreading jianicles. When young this atlords good grazing, 

 but at maturity the stems become hard and praetieally worthless for fodder. It 

 ranges from Maine southward to the Gulf and westward to the Rocky Mountains. 

 It is particularly common near the coa.st in sandy soil bordering the niar.shes, 

 and oftentimes plays an important part there, in preventing the drifting of sands 



