Phragmites communis. Reed Grass 



Large erect grass to 6 m tall, from long creep- 

 ing rhizomes; ligule a fringe of hairs, some to 

 6 mm long. Exceedingly feathery flower panicle 

 with long silky hair, tawny or purplish in color, 

 grass of brackish to fresh water areas of marsh, 

 sometimes on low dunes. 



Figure 96.— Ligule X%- 



Distichlis spicata, Spike Grass 



Grass of the Spartina pateyis zone, sometimes 

 in pure stands. Leaves 2-3 mm wide and a 

 compact, subcylindrical panicle of flowers, dis- 

 tinct from the Spar-tina spike. Ligule mem- 

 branous. Creeping rhizome frequently invades 

 bare areas. 



Figure 97. — Ligule X4. 



Agrostis alba var. palustris, Redtop Grass 



Delicate grass scattered in Spartina patens zone. 

 Densely matted, partly decumbent. Creeping 

 rhizome. Blade of leaf 4-10 mm wide, ligule mem- 

 branous to 3-7 mm long. Panicle of flowers 

 purplish-bronze, becomes whitish in fruit. 



Figure 98. — Ligule X5. 



Elymns virginicus var. halophilus, Terrell Grass 



Erect stiff grass of the upland edge of tidal marsh 

 or between it and beach or dunes. Blade of leaf 

 5-14 mm wide, ligule membranous. Flowering spike 

 resembles wheat but seems two-ranked and flat. 



Figure 99.— Ligule X4. 



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