282 



GRASSES OF IOWA. 



ones 2 to 4 inches (4-8 cm.) long. Spikelets obovate, 2 to 3 lines (4-6 

 mm.) long, three to four-flowered, usually much longer than the pedi- 

 cels; empty glumes lanceolate, acute, slightly unequal, the first one- 

 nerved, the second three-nerved, scabrous on the keels, usually about the 

 length of the approximate floral glumes; flowering glumes 2 to 2l lines 

 (4-5 mm.) long, rigid, ovate-oblong, rounded on the back, obtuse, ob- 

 scurely nerved. Palea broad, strongly two-keeled, about as long as the 

 glumes. Grain obovate, pubescent at the apex. Open woods and 

 thickets. July to August. 



This species is most closely allied to F. nutans, the spikelets and 

 flowers, however, are larger, and the plant occurs in low, marshy 

 srounds. Common in central and eastern Iowa to the Missouri river. 



In;. 196. Fesluca Bhortii~a, empty 

 glumes; b, flowering glumes. (Div. Agros. U. 

 8. Dept, Agr.) 



FiG. 197. Festuca nutans— a,, epike- 

 let ; b, flowering glume; c, palet. - 

 (Charlotte M. King.) 



