78 



Fig. 72. STENOTAPHRUM secxtndatum (Walt.) Kuntze, Rev.Gen PI. 2: 

 794. 1891. (Isrhii'ini(m sccundaf a in Walt. Fl. Car. 249. 1788; Stenotaphnnn ameri- 

 camnn Schrank. Fl. Monac. t. 98. 1811-1818.) ST. AUGUSTINE or MISSION- 

 GRASS.— An extensively creeping perennial, with hard, flat culms, rather broad 

 leaves and upright flowering stems 1.5-3 dm. (6'-12') high. Spikes 5-12 cm. 

 (2'-5') long, terminal and lateral; spikelets (6, c) 2 to 3 together in the alternate 

 notches of the flattened rachis (a) sessile, acute or acuminate, about 4 mm. {2") 

 long.— Muddy or moist sandy shores and marshes along the coast, South Caro- 

 lina to Florida and Louisiana, west to Texas. (Widely distributed in tropical 

 America and the Pacific islands.) April to October. 



St. Augustine grass is common along the Atlantic coast as far north as South 

 Carolina, and is extensively used for lawns in Charleston, Jacksonville, etc. 

 It is propagated by cuttings or sets, and quickly covers the most sandy yards 

 with a dense, carpet-like growth. In Australia it is called Buffalo grass and in 

 Jamaica it is known as Pimento-grass. 



