302 



Fig. 296. LOLITJM ITAI.ICTJM A. Br. Flora, 17 : 259. 1834. ITALIAN RYE- 

 GRASS.— A biennial or fjerennial grass 6-9 dm. (2°-3'=) high, with slender, usu- 

 ally somewhat nodding, terminal spikes, and short-awned spikelets. Sheaths 

 nearly smooth; ligule very short, scarious; leaf-blades 10-20 cm. (-I'-S') long, 

 4-6 mm. (2"-3") wide. Spikelets (a) 10-15 mm. {b"-!^") long, 6 to 15 flowered; 

 flowering glumes (b,c) scabrous near the summit, awned; awn slender, about 

 the length of the glume.— Introduced here and there through cultivation, 

 especially on the Pacific slope. 



A valuable hay grass. A well-known and excellent grass for rich and rather 

 moist lands, yjarticularly for the Eastern States. It is a very rapid grower, 

 forms a dense turf, and in Europe, whence it was introduced into this country, 

 it is regarded as one of the best hay grasses. Owing to its succulent character 

 and rapid growth it is one of the best grasses for soiling. 



