226 A TEXT-BOOK OF GRASSES 
rhizomes, with short distichous blades and narrow few- 
flowered panicles of many-flowered spikelets. In regions 
where it is abundant, salt-grass is utilized for forage, but 
f on account of the excess 
of mineral constituents it 
is of inferior quality. 
250. Dactylis L.—The 
single species, D. glome- 
rata, a native of Europe, 
is commonly cultivated 
as a forage grass under 
the name of orchard- 
grass. It is a tussock- 
forming perennial, 2 to 4 
feet high, with flat blades 
and narrow panicles. The 
spikelets are in 1-sided 
fascicles or small heads 
at the ends of the few 
principal branches of the 
panicle. These branches 
spread at the time of 
flowering but close at 
maturity. The lemmas 
are fringed or ciliate on 
Fig. 52. Distichlis spicata. Staminate the sharp keel. 
plant (at left) and pistillate plant (at ; : 
right) reduced; pistillate and staminate Dactylis glomerata L. (Fig. 
cc eas 53.) Orchard-grass. Perennial, 
in large tufts without creeping rootstocks; culms erect, smooth, 2 to 
4 feet high; sheaths compressed and keeled, more or less retrorsely 
scabrous, closed for a portion of their length, sometimes nearly to 
the throat; ligule prominent, thin and papery, pointed, usually lace- 
rate, the uppermost as much as 14 inch long; blades flat, usually 
scabrous on both surfaces, elongated, as much as \ inch wide, 
