214 



Fig. 208. BECKMANNIA ERXJCAEFORMIS (Linn.) Host, Gram. 3 : 5. 1805. 

 {Phalaris erucafjonnis Linn. Sp. PI. 55. 1753.j SLOUGH-GRASS.— A stout, 

 erect, subaquatic perennial 3-12 dm. (l°-4°j high, with narrow panicles com- 

 posed of many densely flow^ered one-sided spikes. Sheaths longer than the 

 internodes, loose; lignle 4-8 mm. (2"-4") long; leaf-blades 7-22 cm. (3'-9') long, 

 4-8 mm. (2"-4") wide, scabrous. Spikelets (c) 2-3 mm. (l"-li"j long, 1 to 2 

 flowered, closely imbricated in two rows on one side of the rachis (a, b); empty 

 glumes (c) smooth, saccate, obtuse or abruptly acute; flowering glumes (d) 

 acute, the lower generally awn-pointed.— In sloughs and along the banks of 

 rivers and streams, western Ontario to Iowa, California, British Columbia, 

 and Alaska. (Europe and Asia. ) June to September. 



This grass is often abundant in pastures of the Northwest and when young it 

 affords a large amount of forage readily eaten by stock. It is especially 

 adapted to irrigated alkaline soils. 



