95 



Fig. 89. STIPA SPARTEA Trin. Mem. Acad, St. Petersb. VI. Sci. Math. Phys. 

 e: Nat. 1 : 82. 1831. PORCUPIXE-GRASS.— A stout, erect perennial, with simple 

 culms 6-10 dm. (2°-3°) high, long, narrow leaves and contracted, few-flowered 

 panicles 10-20 cm. (4'-8') long. Spikelets (a) large; empty glumes subulate- 

 pjinted, 24-36 mm. (12"-18") long, slightly unequal; flowering glume (b) 16-20 

 mm. (8"-10") long, including the barbed and very sharp-pointed stipe or callus, 

 sparsely pubescent below and crowned with a few short hairs; palea nearly as 

 long as the glume; awn stout, 8-15 cm. (3'-6') long, twisted below and twice 

 geniculate above.— Prairies, Illinois to Colorado, north to Manitoba and British 

 Columbia. June to August. 



A good forage plant, particularly common in the prairie region. The sharp 

 and bearded callus of the seeds renders them dangerous to sheep, as they 

 r.adily become attached to the wool and may penetrate the flesh, causing seri- 

 ous injury. 



