138 



GRASSES OF IOWA. 



Pearl millet. Pennicetum typhoideum, Rich. — This is an impor- 

 tant agricultural grass in central Africa although its original 

 home is not known. It is believed, however, that it originated 

 in Africa and it is possible that the wild form can still be found 

 there. 



Goracana or ragi. Eleusine Coracana, Gaert. — The ragiof the 

 inhabitants of Hindoostan is scarcely grown as a cereal outside 

 of India, though in addition to its growth in India it is also 

 found in Malay, Egypt and Abyssinia. The plant is of tropi- 

 cal origin and without doubt originated in India from the E. 

 indica. A nearly allied species, if not identical, the E. tocussa^ 

 Fres., originated in Abyssinia. The ragi grows well under 

 unfavorable conditions and therefore is used extensively in 

 India. 



Manna-grass. Olyceria fluitans, R. Br. — Manna-grass is a 

 cosmopolitan aquatic grass and in parts of Europe, Prussia, 



Fig. 71 F. Manna Grass (Division of Agrostology D. S. Dept. of Agrl.) 



