NATIVE FORAGE GRASSES 



141 



of the more nutritious grasses. 

 The hay made from wire grass 

 is fairly palatable but is much 

 less nutritious than the origi- 

 nal grass-hay of these valleys. 

 There are many species of 

 grasses common in the Missis- 

 sippi Valley that find their 

 way up to the valleys of the 

 plains. Many of these are the 

 "tall-grasses" mentioned pre- 

 viously, of which big bluestem 

 (Andropogon furcatus Muhl.), 

 little bluestem (Andropogon 

 scoparius Michx.), Indian grass 

 (Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash) 

 and switch grass (Panicum vir- 

 gatum L.) are examples. In 

 the valley of the Arkansas 

 River and other valleys to the 

 southwest, a species of Sporo- 

 bolus (5. airoides Torr.) is com- 

 mon. Through this region this 

 grass is known as bunch grass, 

 a name that is applied to many 

 other species in various parts 

 of the country. The inflores- 

 cence is open and spreading. 

 A related species of Sporobolus 

 (S.Wrightii Munro) is common 

 in the valleys of southern Ari- 



34. Big Bluestem. A head 

 with three spikes of flowers. 



