132 



Fig, 126. SPOROBOLTJS INDICUS (L.) R. Br. Prodr. Fl. Nov. Holl. 1 : 170. 

 1810. {Agrostis indica L. Sp. PI. '6d<. 1753.) SMUT-GRASS.— A tufted, erect, wiry 

 perennial 3-10 dm..(l°-3°) high, with simple culms and narrow, densely flow- 

 ered, spike-like panicles 10-30 cm. (4'-12') long. Leaves 10-30 cm. (■4'-12') long, 

 2-6 mm. (l"-3") wide, long-attenuate-pointed. Spikelets (a, h) 1.5-2 mm. {V'-V) 

 long, the unequal outer glumes obtuse, the second about one-half as long as 

 the third or flowering glume, which is acute and slightly longer than the obtuse 

 palea (see d in figurei.— Abundantly naturalized in waste ground, waysides, 

 fields, and pastures. Virginia and Tennessee to Florida, Arkansas, Texas, and 

 California; occasional in the Eastern cities. (Native or naturalized in all trop- 

 ical countries.) March to September. 



Smut-grass is regarded as a valuable forage plant by some, but except when 

 young the stems are too tough and wiry to be eaten by stock when other food 

 can be had- 



