36 



No. 97. Epicampes rigens Benth. Dcor-grass. (Fig. 41.) 



A stout, erect grass, 3 to 4 feet bigh, with rigid, wiry stems, aud a very long, narrow, 



densely llowered, spike-like panicle. This grass is not nncommon in Arizona, 

 southern California, and New Mexico, growing in sandy soil. It is regarded as 



one of the best native dry land grasses, and is clo.sely 

 grazed wherever stock can get at it. The roots of Epi- 

 campes macronra — Mexican Broom-root or Mexican 

 Whisk — are used in making brushes and are exported 

 from Vera Cruz to Europe for this purpose. 

 No. 98. Eragrostis abyssinica Link. Teff. 

 A branching, leafy annual, 2 to 4 feet high, with widely 

 spreading capillary panicles of many spikelets. This 

 grass grows readily from seed, which is produced abnnd 

 antly, and it may be of some value for hay in parts of the 

 South or Southwest. In northeastern Africa, where the 

 grass is apparently native, the grain is extensively used 

 for food, being made into 

 bread, which possesses a 

 slight but agreeable acid 

 taste. There are two va- 

 rieties ci;ltivated, a white 

 aud a red variety, the for- 

 mer being much superior 

 to the latter and used only 

 by the higher classes. It 

 is sometimes grown in gar- 

 dens for the elegant pani- 

 cles, which are nsed in 

 bouciuets. Era<jroslis iieo- 

 mexicana Vasey, with the 

 general habit of growth of 

 Teft', occurs in New Mex- 

 ico, springing up after 



rains, particularly in the region about Doming, 



where it is called "Crab-grass." It is an annual, 



growing to the height of 2 to 4 feet, with widely 



spreadiug, many flowered panicles, and is largely 



cut for hay. 



No. 99. Eragrostis major Host. Stink-grass. 



(Fig. 42.) 



A rather showy, much-branched annual, with erect or 

 ascending stems, (i inches to 2 or 3 feet high. 

 This species, which is a native of Europe, has 

 become widely distributed in this country, grow- 

 ing chieliy in cultivated or waste grounds, especially in light soils. When fresh 

 it emits a strong, unpleasant odor. 



No. 100. Eragrostis obtusiflora (Fourn.) Scribn. Mexican Salt-grass. 



A rigid perennial, 12 to 18 inches high, with strong and extensively scaly rootstocks, 

 stiff and 8har])-})ointed leaves, aud more or less sjjreading panicles. Abundant 

 in the highly alkaline soils of Sul])hur Springs Valley, Arizona, where the large 

 rootstocks serve to bind the shifting sands. In the altscnce of other grasses it 

 is eaten by stock. 



No. 101. Eragrostis pilosa (I. inn.) Heauv. Slender Meadow-grass. 



A slender l)rancliing ainiual, (> to 18 inches high, with narrow, flat leaves and capil- 



FiG. 41.— Deer-grass {Epi- 

 campes rigens). 



FiQ. 42.- 



Stink -grass (Eragrostif! 



tnujiir). 



