58 



No. 181. Paspaliim dilatatiim Poir. Large Water-grass. 



A ratbiT ooarsti h-afy perennial, growing iu clumps 2 to 5 feet bigh, bearing near 

 the suuunit of tbc stems two to teu, more or b-ss spreading racemes or spikes of 



crowded, hairy spikelets. It is a native of Brazil and 

 possibly was originally introduced into the Southern 

 States (where it has become ([uite widely distributed) 

 from that country, although it may be a native here. 

 It ranges noitbward froni the (iulf to southern Virgitiia 

 and Tinnessee, and westward to Texas, growing most 

 abundantly on low, black soils, which are well supplied 

 with moisture. It is considered an excellent pasture 

 grass, and when well established endures seasons of ex- 

 cessive drought without injury. It is particularly val- 

 uable as furuisliing excellent late summer and autumn 

 feed, during which period it makes its principal growth. 



No. 182. Paspalum distichum Linn. Knot-grass. (Fig. 70.) 



A low cr('ei)ing species, resembling Bermuda-grass. It is 

 conuiuin in the Scmthern States along the seacoast and 

 in the interior, extending southward from Virginia to the 

 Gulf, and westward to Texas, Arizona, southern Cali- 

 fornia, and northward to Oregon. It occurs Ihrougbout 

 the tropical regions of both the Old and New Worlds. It 

 grows in more or less 

 sandy soils around th(^ 

 margins of ponds and 

 along river banks. In 

 such places it often 

 does good service iu 

 binding soils subject 

 to wash. The grass 

 can well be recom- 

 mended for this use. 



Its stems are somewhat succulent, extensively 



creeping, rooting at the nodes. The leaves 



are tender, affording excellent grazing. The 



upright stems arc a few inches to a foot high, 



and b»!;ir at their summits two slender spikes. 



This character at once serves to distinguish 



it from l?ermud:i, which luis several si)ikcs:it 



tlie ap(!X of the llowering culms. 



No. 183. Paspalum laeve Mi(dix. Smooth i'ati- 



palum. (I"ig. 71.) 

 A tufted native perennial, with ascending or 



<'rect stems, 1 to :i feet long. Hat leaves, and 



two to live, more or Ic.ss spreading spikes, 2 



to 4 inches long. Common in the Middle and 



Southern States, growing in open fields, 



m.adows, etc., usually where the ground is 



somewhat moist. It is a late summer grass, 



blossoming from July to October. Well liked 



by all kinds of stock. In culf ivated grounds, 



jind i)articularly on lawns, which it occasionally invad.s, it must be classed as 



a weed. 



Fig. 70.— Knot-grass {Pas- 

 palum distichutn). 



Fio.71.— Siiiootli I'asiialiiin (liaspalum 



l(VVl'). 



