212 



GRASSES OF IOWA. 



Buffalo grass is local, only occurring in Lyon County on the Sioux 

 quartzite, associated with Schedonnardus, where it was found by 

 Professor Shimek and Mr. Leiberg. 



DISTRIBUTION. 



Iowa. Northwest corner of state (Shimek). 



North America. Saskatchewan to Minnesota: Iowa, Dakotas (S. 

 D., Aberdeen, Griffiths, 122) ; Nebraska (Crete, McCook and Broken 

 Bow, Pammel ; Belmont, Webber, 160; Grand Island, Wakefield, 

 114); Kansas, Arkansas, Texas (Nealley) ; Mexico (San Luis Potosi, 

 Parry and Palmer, 922); and Arizona north to Colorado (Hall and 

 Harbour, 637; Platte River, Parry. 368; New Windsor, Osterhout, 

 2373; Ft. Collins, Reppert and Witter; Crandall ; E. I). Ball; Pam- 

 mel). 



TRIBE XI. FESTUCEAE. 



Spikelets 2 to many-flowered, usually hermaphrodite, pedicellate, 

 in racemes or panicles, the latter sometimes dense and spike-like; flower- 

 ing glumes usually longer than the empty ones, awnless or with one to 

 several, straight (rarely bent) awns which are either terminal or borne 

 just below the apex. 



Fig. 149. Flower of Poa 

 compressa. (after Gray. ) 



Fig. 150. Flower of Festuea 

 elatior. (after Gray. ) 



This is the largest tribe in the order, numbering about 76 genera 

 and 72s species. It contains the most important meadow grasses. Also 

 occur on the higher mountains within the tropics. The genus Poa, which 

 includes Kentucky blue grass, Texas blue grass, etc., numbers 100 species, 

 and an equal number of species arc included in the genus Eragrostis. 



