51 



Fig. 45. PANICUM OBTUSUM H. B. K. Nov. Gen. et Sp. PI. 1 : 98. 1815. VINE 

 MESQUITE.— A stoloniferous wiry perennial, the runners often 24-30 dm. 

 (8°-10°) long; the upright, flowering branches 3-6 dm. (l°-2°) high. Panicle 

 of three to five erect racemes, the lower ones about 2 cm. (1') long, the upper 

 very short. Spikelets (a, 6) oblong, obtuse, 3 mm. (W) long; first glume two- 

 thirds as long as the 7-nerved second glume, which slightly exceeds the flow- 

 ering glume (c). The palea is shown at d.— Irrigated lands, low valleys, chiefly 

 in the shade of trees and shrubs, Kansas and Colorado to Texas, New Mexico, 

 Arizona, and southward. June to September. 



This is the " Wire grass " of New Mexico. It is readily propagated by seed, 

 which is produced abundantly, and the grass probably possesses much agri- 

 cultural value. 



