The ferns and flowering plants of Nantucket — II 



Eugene P. Bicknei.l 



GRAMINEAE 



One hundred and four grasses are here enumerated and a 

 number of varieties are indicated, some of which should perhaps bear 

 distinctive names. Other species which flower only in the spring 

 or early summer are doubtless to be added. In no other family 

 of plants represented on Nantucket are introduced species more 



* 



likely to appear and from this source the list should be considerably 

 augmented as time goes on. 



It is to be understood that when not otherwise stated the species 

 referred to were found in perfect flowering or fruiting condition. 



Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx.) Nash. 



Andropogon scoparins Michx. 



Abundant, often the dominant grass over extensive tracts on 

 the plains. Near Miacomet Pond a slender, thinly tufted form 

 occurred, here and there, in which the colors were bright-green 

 and yellowish in striking contrast to the duller green and purple 

 of the prevailing plant. This light-colored form showed nowhere 

 the slightest purple tinge and was palest in those parts ordinarily 

 the most deeply colored, especially the internodes, leaf-sheaths, and 

 spikelets. 



* Schizachyrium villosissimum (Kearney) Nash. 



ypogon scop 



j 



Common on sandy plains, roadsides, and in open pine scrub, 



;/ 



When 



from it by its villous sheaths and leaf-blades, 

 mature, they may be distinguished at sight by a different appear- 

 ance of their spikes due mainly to a somewhat denser and whiter 

 bearding of the sterile pedicel in S. villosissimum. 



The -reference of this Nantucket grass to S. villosissimum, not 

 hitherto reported from north of the Carolinas, is based on the 



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