360 



GRASSES OF IOWA. 



Fig. 165. Red Top, (Aiirostis alba). A fine grass for low meadows. (F. Lamson- 

 Scrlbner, Dlv. Agrost. U. S. Dept. Agrl.) 



however, is a good agricultural form quite distinct from A. 

 alba. Agrostis stolonifera is also classed as only a variety of A. 

 alba. Trinius referred these, and also some others which have 

 been classed as species, to Agrostis polymorpha, Huds." 

 The forms we have may be separated as follows: 



Ligule, 1 to 4 lines long, usually ribbed toward the base. Panicle open, 

 culms erect or geniculate at the lower joints.. A. alba 



Panicle contracted linear, culms extensively creeping or stoloniferous 

 A. stolonifera 



Ligule less than a line long, sometimes nearly obsolete; panicle branches 

 spreading, smooth A. vulgaris 



This plant produces culms from one to two feet high, ascend- 

 ing smooth from a creeping rootstock. Leaves short and flat 



