1-1:6 NORTH-CAROLINA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 



Festuca pratensis, Lollitim multiiiorun, 



Dactylis glomerata, Cynosurus cristatus. 



GRAMINACEAE. THE GEASSES. 



TRDiE I. - ORIZEA. f 



Containing those grasses whose spikelets are on&amp;lt;e flowered^ 

 and whose flowers are often monoecious in branched panicles, 



108. Oriza Sativa is cultivated only for its grain. LEERSIA 

 oryzoides, rice grass, cut grass, false rice. The rice grass 

 grows with a procumbent stem arid an erect panicle, having 

 rough slender branches and long narrow leaves, with sheaths 

 very scabrous. It grows from two to three feet high in wet 

 swampy places. Its spikelets are flat, and the florets of an 

 oval form and triandrous, imbricate. AVhere other grasses 

 are scarce, this may be cultivated to advantage, as it makes 

 a good hay, and may be cut twice or three times in a season. 

 It flowers from October to November. 



TRIBE II. PHALAR1DEAE. 



The spikelets are one flowered and perfect if more 

 one flowered, polygamous or monoecious. 



ZEA mays. INDIAN CORN. 



Probably no plant passes into or forms so many varieties 

 as Indian corn, or furnishes so much sustenance for man and 

 beast. It grows within the limits of latitude 4 2 south and 

 4-5 north, and on plains and mountains. The varieties ripen 

 at different times, some producing in forty days from, plant- 

 ing. Others require six months. The common eight rowed 

 corn cultivated in the middle and northern States, comes to 

 maturity in about ninety days. The stalk of Indian corn, if 

 deprived of its tassel and silk, furnishes a large amount 

 of sugar, but it does not possess qualities so agreeable as 

 those of the sugar cane. Its ability to adapt itself to climate 

 is of immense importance, as this property enables it to be 

 come widelv distributed over the earth s surface. 



