324 



Bulletin No. 205 



[March, 



11. CHAETOCHLOA Scribii. 



This is another genus closely related to Panicum and with the same 

 type of spikelets, but these have a cluster of one to several bristle-like 

 branchlets on the short pedicel just below the spikelet (Fig. 101). The 

 inflorescence is of spike-like panicles ; the blades are long and flat. The 

 ligule is a ring of hairs 1 to 2 mm. in length. The Illinois species are 

 all annuals and were all introduced from Europe. 



spikelets at least 3 mm. long. 



Lemmas deeply transversely rugose, very convex ; bristles 5 or more, yellow or 

 yellowish brown; panicle 1 cm. or less thick; spikelets usually exceeding 3 

 mm. in length. C. lutescens 



Lemmas faintly transversely rugose, moderately convex; bristles 1 to 3, usu- 

 ally purple, but sometimes yellow; inflorescence generally more than 1 cm. 

 thick. C. italica 



Spikelets about 2 mm. long. 



Bristles downwardly barbed. C. verticillata 



Bristles upwardly barbed. C. viridis 



103 



101 



102 



Figs. 100-104. — 100, C. lutescens, inflorescence; 101, C. lutescens, spikelet; 

 102, C. italica', spikelet; 103, C. viridis, spikelet; 104, C. verticillata, spikelet 



Millet. 



Chaetochloa italica (L.) Scribn. 

 Hungarian Grass. Italian Millet. Foxtail Millet (Fig. 102) 



Setaria italica, Flagg '78, 284; Higley and Eaddin '91, 140; Huett '97, 129. 



Culms generally erect, 2 to 6 feet tall ; sheaths and blades generally 

 roughened but not pubescent; blades 6 to 12 inches in length, 6 to 36 

 mm. wide; panicle 1.25 to 5 cm. thick, usually compound; spikelets 

 about 3 mm. long, bristles 2 or 3, usually purplish. 



This grass is extensively cultivated for forage. There are many 

 varieties. Hungarian grass is a form with small purple heads. The 

 common millet with a large compound inflorescence is more generally 

 cultivated. 



