174 



Fig. 168. DANTHONIA SPICATA ( Linn.) Beauv. in R. & S. Syst. 2 : 090. 1817. 

 (Arma spicata Linn. Sp. PI. 80. 1753.) WILD OAT-GRASS.-A smooth, .'^lender, 

 erect perennial 2..5-5 dm. (lo-2°) high, with few-flowered, narrow panicles 

 2.-5-5 cm. (l'-2') long, spreading only in flower. Sheaths shorter than the 

 internodes; ligule very short; leaves scabrous, generally involute. 2 mm. 

 (1") wide, or le.ss, the lower ones 10-15 mm. (4'-6') long. Spikelets (a) 5- to 8- 

 flowered, with glabrous empty glumes 8-10 mm. (4"-5") long and sparingly 

 pilose; 2-toothed flowering glumes ib,d) about 4 mm. (2")long, the teeth short 

 and acute; awn geniculate, spreading, twisted at the base. The palea is shown 

 by/, and the pistil and lodicules by f.— Common in dry. thin soils from Canada 

 southward to the Gulf States and westward to Texas. May to September. 



