37 



Fig. 31. PASPALTJM DILATATUM Poir. in Lam. Eneyel. 5 : 35. 1804 (P. 

 ovatiim Nees, Agrost. Bras. 43. 1829.) LARGE WATER-GRASS.— A somewhat 

 coarse, leafy yjerennial, growing in clumps 6-15 dm. (2°-5°) high, bearing two to 

 ten more or less spreading spikes 5-10 cm. (2'-4') long. Spikelcts (a, 6) in four 

 rows 3 mm. {1^") long, ovate, acute, villous on the margins.— In meadows and 

 waste ground and along ditches, southeastern Virginia to Florida, west to 

 Texas; apparently naturalized (South America) . July to October. 



Considered a good pasture grass; endures summer heat and drought very 

 well, and is especially valuable for furnishing late summer and autumn feed, 

 during which period it makes its principal growth. 



