GENERAL INFORMATION FOR THE BEGINNER 



It is hoped that after completing the twelve les- 

 sons the student will be eager to study and identify 

 the grasses of his region. 



To aid the beginner in the study of the plant, the 

 following outline is offered, suggesting points to be 

 observed : 



Outline for Study of a Grass Plant 



Duration — Annual: Winter annual, summer annual. 



Perennial: Without rhizomes (with or without winter 



rosette) ; with rhizomes (these short or long, thick, knotty, 



or slender) . 

 Habit — ^Erect, ascending, prostrate, geniculate, creeping, rooting 



at nodes, or stoloniferous. Tufted or culms few or solitary. 

 Culm — Height; slender or robust; simple or branching (from 



upper nodes, lower nodes, all nodes) ; glabrous, scabrous, 



or pubescent (throughout or below nodes or inflorescence). 

 Nodes: Glabrous or pubescent (hairs appressed, spreading, 



retrorse, i. e., pointing backward). 

 Sheaths: Close, loose, or spreading; glabrous or pubescent 



(note margin and summit) ; open (as common) or closed. 

 Ligule: Length; membranaceous; hairy (stiff or delicate); 



obsolete. 

 Blades: Erect or spreading, length and width. Shape: 



Rounded, clasping or narrowed at base; flat, folded, or 



involute. Texture: Thin, thick, rigid, lax. Surface: 



Glabrous, pubescent (pilose, villous, hispid), scabrous 



(note each surface and margin). 

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