58 



No. 181. Paspalum dilatatum Poir. Large Water-grass. 



A rather coarse leafy perennial, growing in clumps 2 to 5 feet high, bearing near 

 the summit of the stems two to ten, more or less 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 northward from the Gulf to southern Virginia 

 and Tennessee, 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 furnishing 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 creeping species, resembling Bermuda-grass. It is 

 common in the Southern 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 throughout 

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

 grows in more or less 

 sandy soils around the 

 margins of ponds and 

 along river banks. In 

 such places it often 

 does good service in 

 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 are a few inches to a foot high, 



and bear at their summits two slender spikes. 



This character at once serves to distinguish 



it from Bermuda, which has several spikes at 



the apex of the flowering culms. 



No. 183. Paspalum laeve Michx. Smooth Pas- 

 palum. (Fig. 71.) 

 A tufted native perennial, with ascending or 



erect 8t((ms, 1 to 3 feet long, liat leaves, and 



two to five, more or Ifss spreading spikes, 2 



to 1 inches long. Common in the Middle and 



Southern States, growing in open fields, 



meadows, etc., usually where the ground is 



somewhat moist. It is a late summer grass, 



blossoming from .July to October. Well liked 



by all ivinds of stock. In cultivated grounds, 



and particularly on lawns, which it occasionally invades, it must tee classed as 



a weed. 



Fig. 70. — Knot-grass {Pas- 

 palum dintichum). 



Fio. 71.— Smooth P.ispalum (Patpalum 



lii'Ve). 



