226 Lake Maxinknckee, Physical and Biological Survey 



Amaranth. Other tumble-weeds of the plains, except the witch- 

 grass globes, are much finer and more airy. These, after ripening, 

 break off at the base and scud before the autumn winds like fright- 

 ened rabbits. The sight of one of these delicately formed globes 

 rolling before the fitful autumn blasts, scattering seed as it goes, is 

 another revelation of the attractive and surprising features of this 

 plant. In some parts of the state, especially the flat rich prairies 

 along the middle of our western boundary, this species forms 

 great masses like snow-drifts against fences or hedges, and fills up 

 open ditches. 



60. TALL SMOOTH PANICUM 



PANICUM VIRGATUM L. 



A rather coarse, leafy grass growing in clumps or tussocks. The 

 amount of material in a single clump suggests that it might make 

 considerable forage where abundant enough. Its tussocky habit of 

 growth, however, is somewhat against it. It is noteworthy for the 

 deep red color of its pollen. The plants first come into flower about 

 the latter part of July. 



It was not originally common at the lake, only a few clumps 

 having been noted along the road below the Duenweg cottage at 

 Arlington. It appears to be increasing considerably of late years, 

 as numerous clumps now grow along the road between the lake and 

 Culver. In the particular plant examined the sterile flowers were 

 rudimentary. 



61. BARBED PANIC-GRASS 



PANICUM MICROCARPON Muhl. 



One of the broad-leaved panicums growing in the sandy soil of 

 open woodlands, fairly common in the dry soil west of the lake. 

 This plant is small and compact at the beginning of the flowering 

 season. It continues to grow all the season, putting out new 

 panicles from the sheaths of successively lower leaves so that in 

 the end we have a very diffuse spraggly plant with empty panicles 

 from which the seed have been shed, ripening grain in all stages of 

 development, flowers and buds all at the same time. The grass is 

 too small and scattered to be of any importance as pasturage. 



62. SCRIBNER'S PANIC-GRASS 



PANICUM SCRIBNERIANUM Nash 



In general habit much resembling P. microcarpon; blossoming 

 all season and becoming quite diffuse late in autumn. Found in 

 open sandy soil west of the lake. 



