Illustrated Descriptions of the Grasses 



Large Crab-grass 

 is a weed only when it 

 is out of place, as it so 

 frequently is in 

 this country. In 

 some localities the 

 stems yield a valued 

 pasturage, and in south- 

 western Europe this grass is 

 cultivated for its seeds, which 

 are used in porridge. 



Small Crab-grass {Digitdria humifusa) 

 and Large Crab-grass bloom in midsummer 

 and later and are very similar in appearance, 

 differing chiefly in size and in the number of 

 spikes. Small Crab-grass is usually less 

 common, and the second scale of each 

 spikelet is much longer than is the second 

 scale of the larger species. In many a 

 dooryard and near many a garden Large 

 Crab-grass is the most noticeable growth of 

 August and September, when the dark 

 green stems spread over the ground and lift 

 their narrow, deeply coloured spikes which, 

 from the summits of the stems, spread 

 widely, like the rays of an umbel, or like the 

 open fingers of a hand. Near the Large 

 Crab-grass we often notice the contrast of 

 great spreading panicles of Old Witch-grass 

 (Pdnicum capilldre) which raises its blos- 

 soming-heads like shower-fountains of green, 

 and soon rigidly extends the slender 

 branches until the panicles are sometimes 

 two feet across. 



Purple Finger-grass, or Slender Finger- 

 grass, {Digitdria filifdrmis) is a native 

 species and therefore is not so often found 

 near dwelling houses. It is an exceedingly 

 delicate grass in stem, leaf, and inflorescence, the filiform spikes 

 carrying out the slender character of the plant by remaining 



59 



15 



Large Crab-grass 

 Digilaria sanguinalis 



