48 



Fig. 42. PANICUM LANATXJM Kottb. Descr. PI. 3 (?). 1776. {P. leu CO- 

 phseum H. B. K. Nov. Gen. et Sp. PI. 1 : 97. 1815.) COTTON-GRASS.-A rather 

 stout, more or less branching leafy perennial 6-12 dm. (20-4°) high, with 

 narrow, .soft-hairy panicles, the erect branches &-10 cm. (2'-4') long. Spikelets 

 (a) linear-lanceolate, acuminate, about -4 mm. (2") long; lower glume minute; 

 second and third glumes {b, c) clothed with long soft hairs; fourth glume id) 

 a little shorter than the second and third. The palea is shown at c and the 

 grain at/.— Cultivated ground, river banks, and coral soil on keys, central and 

 southern Florida; on ballast at Mobile, Ala. (Widely distributed in tropical 

 America; Australia; Africa.) May to October. 



Whpn abundant, this grass yields excellent pasturage. 



