348 



IU\VA A'CADEMY OF SCIENCE Vol. XXV, 1918 



the node where a new rhizome arises there is an enlarged node 

 and many roots. The scales on a young rhizome extend from one 

 node to another and are not conspicuous until the rhizome be- 

 comes older, except that they are brown in color while the young 

 rhizome itself is yellowish white. Extending from the rhizome 

 is an abundaaiee of very long, tough roots. Many more roots are 

 found on this species than on Agropyron repens. New buds do 



Fig. 123 — Agropyron Smithii. Western WTieat Grass. 



not always grow from terminal nodes df old root stock. Leaves 

 rolled in the 'bud, sheaths tiuhtly compressed in the young shoot. 

 In older shoots, it leans away from stem. Blades two and one- 

 half to five mm. wide, eoiiiparatively long and flat. Ligule finely^ 

 toothed, narrow membranons; collar light, inconspicuous in 

 young shoots but becoming green to w^hite, widoned at the mar- 

 gins in older plants. Nerves in blade, conspicious. Auricles 

 absent. 



