271 



Fig. 265. VNIOLA PANICULATA L. Sp. PI. 71. 1753. SEASIDE OATS.— A 

 stout, glabrous, native perennial 9-15 dm. (3°-5°) high, with long, rigid leaves 

 and showy, nodding panicles of many broad and pale, straw-colored spikelets. 

 Sheaths often longer than the internodes; ligule a ring of hairs about 1 mm. 

 (^'0 long; leaf-blades 30 cm. (12') long or more, about 6 mm. (3") wide, involute 

 when dry, attenuated into a long, .slender tip. Spikelets (o) many-flowered, short 

 pedicelled, ovate to oval when mature, 1-2 cm. (i'-l') long; empty glumes (r) 

 much shorter than the flowering ones, which are 8-10 mm. (4"-5") long, scabrous 

 on the keel.— In .sands of the seacoast, Virginia to Texas. (West Indies and 

 South America.) May to October. 



This species from its habit of growth in the drifting sands along the seashore, 

 and by its very strong and deeply penetrating rootstocks forms an excellent 

 .sand binder, and is the southern analogue of the northern beach or marram 

 grass {Ammophila arenaria) . The leaves are sometimes eaten by cattle, but the 

 grass is too tough and dry to be of any importance as a forage plant. The 

 panicles are gathered for dry bouquets, and are often seen in our markets. 



