140 



GRASSES OF IOWA. 



Asia. While the plant is not cultivated, it is carefully pro- 

 tected by the Indians, and is found much in favor by the Abo- 

 rigines as a cereal product. 



Ganary-grans. Phalaris canariensis, L. — The home of this 

 grass is usuilly attributed to the Canary islands but it is prob- 

 able that this assump Aon arises from the fact that the plant 

 has received the common name of Canary-grass. It is more 

 than probable that its culture originated in Spain. It grows 

 wild in southern Europe, especially Sicily and Catalonia. It 

 is used as a cereal only in some of the southern countries of 

 Europe. 



Upright sea lime grass. ELymns arenarius. — This large grass 

 is common along the coast of northern Europe and the British 

 islands and along our western coast as far south as Oregon.* 

 Aside from its great value as a sand binder the seeds are used 

 for food by the Digger Indians of the northwest. By the 

 inhabitants it is called "Rancheria grass." 



Bamboos. Bambusa, Schreb — The seeds of several speciei 

 of bamboos are used in East India like rice. It is said by 



Fig. 72. Tef (Eragrostis ahyssiiiica) grown on coUege grounds. I. S. C. 



•Lamson-Scribner. Year book. U . S. Dept. Agrl. 1894: 429. 



