57 



Fig. 51. PANICUM PROIilFERUM Lam. Encycl. 4: 747a. 1797. SPROUT- 

 ING CRAB-GRASS.— A smooth and usually much-branched, native annual, 

 with rather coarse, spreading, or ascending stems 6-18 dm. (2°-6°) long, flat 

 leaves and diffuse terminal and lateral panicles 12-40 cm. (4'-16') long. Spike- 

 lets {a,b,c) ovate-lanceolate, acute 2-3 mm. (1"-1^") long, glabrous; flowering 

 glume (d, e) subacute, a little shorter than the 5-7-nerved third glume; first 

 glume usually broadly-obtuse.— Low ground, ditches, etc., Maine to Illinois and 

 Nebraska, south to Florida and Texas. (Cuba.) March to October. 



In the South this grass is often abundant in cultivated fields, growing with 

 common Crab-grass, and thus sometimes forms no inconsiderable part of the 

 so-called " Poor man's hay." 



