1D18] The Grasses of Illinois 371 



along one side of a slender, flat rachis; spikelets 2 to 2.5 mm. long, the 

 lemmas hairy on' the keel. 



This grass may be easily identified by its pale, gray-green foliage 

 and its creeping habit. It does not seem to be very extensively intro- 

 duced into Illinois. Mr. E. Pike of St. Jacob, who sent some to the 

 University for identification, reports that it started a very few years 

 ago in that locality and has spread at a very rapid rate. Care should 

 be taken not to allow it to obtain a foothold in cultivated fields. 



COOK CO. Chicago, Moffat, Sept., 1895. madison co. St. Jacob, Pike, May, 

 1915. WABASH CO. Mt. Carmel, SchnecTc, July, 1898. 



41. SCHEDONNARDUS Steud. 



In this genus the inflorescence consists of long, narrow spikes ar- 

 ranged alternately along an angled axis, the rachis hollowed out on 

 the sides, the one-flowered, narrow, sessile spikelets appressed in the 

 hollows. The leaves are short and narrow and usually clustered at the 

 base. The plants are annuals. 



Schedoimardus paniculatus (Nutt.) Trel. 

 (Fig. 194) 



Lepiums paniculatus, Lapham '57, 547, 585 (Plate 3, Fig. 6) ; Patterson '76, 

 51; Flagg '78, 282; Brendel '87, 88. 



Culms in tufts, rough, 8 to 18 inches tall ; sheaths flattened, smooth 

 or slightly rough; ligule membranous, pointed; blades flat, rough, 1 

 to 4 inches long, 1 to 2 mm. wide ; spikes arranged alternately, the axis 

 and rachises sharply angled ; spikelets 3 to 4.5 mm. long, rough. 



It is extremely improbable that this species is now found in Illinois. 



It was found on the original prairie, especially around salt licks. 



ILLINOIS SPECIMENS: Without locality, Vasey. hancock co. Augusta, 

 Mead; Deer Lick, Augusta, Mead, Aug., 1845. 



42. BOUTELOUA Lag. 



Mesquite Grass. Grama Grass 



These grasses are perennial and on the original prairie were im- 

 portant grazing grasses. The inflorescence consists of small, one-sided 

 spikes composed of spikelets sessile on a narrow rachis, which is some- 

 times prolonged beyond the spikelets. The spikelets are usually 2-flow- 

 ered but only the lower floret is perfect. The glumes are unequal, 

 keeled, and usually shorter than the lemmas. The leaves are short 

 and narrow, often involute. The ligules are very short and incon- 

 spicuous. 



Inflorescence of numerous short spikes arranged on each side of the axis, drooping 

 on slender peduncles. B. curtipendula 



Inflorescence of 1 to 3 spikes usually on one side of the stem, ascending. 



