232 A TEXT-BOOK OF GRASSES 
slender soft leaves and is more densely tufted than red 
fescue. It is used for shaded places in lawns where other 
grasses will not thrive. 
Several native species of Festuca are important range grasses. 
Festuca idahoensis Elmer (F. ingrata (Hack.) Rydb.) is common in 
Oregon, Washington and Idaho. It is related to F. ovina and has 
numerous involute, stiff, scabrous blades and a rather large, spreading 
panicle, the lemmas awned. F. viridula Vasey is a green erect 
species with creeping rootstocks and awnless lemmas. It is a 
valuable range grass of the mountain meadows. 
One section of the genus includes several species of small 
annuals. One species, F. octoflora Walt., is common in dry open 
ground throughout the United States. In the western states there 
are several other species, some of which are sufficiently abundant 
in the desert regions to produce forage after the rainy season. 
258. Bromus L—Brome-grass. A large genus, found 
mostly in the north temperate zone. Annuals or per- 
ennials with closed sheaths, and open or contracted 
panicles of comparatively large spikelets; lemmas keeled 
or rounded on the back, bifid at apex, usually awned 
from between the teeth. Several annual species have been 
introduced from Europe and have become troublesome 
weeds, especially on the Pacific coast. One species is 
called cheat or chess (B. secalinus) and is a weed in grain- 
fields in the eastern states. This species is cultivated for 
hay in Oregon and Washington. This has an open panicle 
of plump short-awned spikelets. The species of Bromus, 
even the annuals, are good forage grasses, at least when 
young. 
259. Awnless brome-grass.—An erect perennial with 
creeping rhizomes, flat blades and open panicles of slightly 
flattened spikelets, the lemmas awnless or nearly so. A 
native of Europe and cultivated in the northwestern 
states as a forage grass. 
