GRASSES OF MINOR IMPORTANCE 



103 



fertile lemma are two sterile lem- 

 mas about twice as long, one 

 being short-awned, the other 

 bearing a long twisted and bent 

 awn from near its base. 



The botanical name is Anthox- 

 anthum odoratum L. Sweet ver- 

 nal is a native of Europe and is 

 found growing as an escape from 

 cultivation in the Eastern States. 

 The generic name means yellow 

 flower; the specific name refers 

 to the odor. 



VELVET GRASS 



Velvet grass is occasionally 

 used for meadows in the humid 

 region but has little value except 

 on sterile or sandy soil. The hay 

 is not relished by stock until 

 they acquire a taste for it. On 

 fertile soil it cannot compete 

 with more valuable grasses, but 

 on sandy soil it gives better re- 

 turns than most other meadow 

 grasses. The only part of the 

 country where it becomes of im- 

 portance is on the sandy land 

 along the Columbia River in Ore- 

 gon and Washington, and a few 

 other places from Northern Cali- 



18. Velvet Grass. Ahead 

 or dense panicle. After 

 flowering, head closes up. 



