304 



Fig. 298. AGROPYROlsr REPENS ( L.) Beauv. Agrost. 146. 1812. {Triticvm 

 repens L. Sp. PI. 86. 17.53. ) COUCH-GRASS.— An erect, stoloniferous perennial 

 3-12 dm. il°-4°) high, with flat leave.s, which are pilose along the nerves above, 

 and terminal, densely flowered spikes. Sheaths striate, usually smooth; leaf- 

 blades 10-30 cm. (4'-12') long, smooth or scabrous. Spikelets (o) green, 3 to 6 

 flowered; empty glumes {2) 5 to 7 nerved, obtuse or notched, acute or short- 

 awned; flowering glumes (5) acute or short-awned. Var. pilosum Scribn. F1. 

 Mt. Des. Isl. 183, 1894, has the rachis of the spike pubescent or hirsute. Var. lit- 

 TOBEUM Anderss. PI. Scand. Gram. 5, 1852, with rigid, reddish-green, glaucous 

 leaves, the lower sheaths hirsute, and the glumes awn-pointed— salt marshes, 

 Maine. Var. agreste Anderss. 1. c. and nemorale Anderss. 1. c. may be found 

 in this country. See U. S. Dept. Agr. Div. Agros. Bui. 4 : 36. 1897.— Naturalized 

 in lawns, waysides, and cultivated ground, Newfoundland and Cape Breton to 

 Northwest Territory, south to District of Columbia, Ohio, and Iowa. (Europe 

 and Asia.) June to September. 



One of the worst weeds to contend with in the cultivation of hoed crops, but 

 still of value as a hay crop. It is an excellent grass for binding railroad and 

 other embankments subject to wash. The roots are well known in medicine 

 under the name of Radix graminls, used as a diuretic. 



