202 



A TEXT-BOOK OF GRASSES 



Epicampes (E. rigens Benth.) is of some economic im- 

 portance in Mexico, whence it is exported, the strong 

 fibrous roots being used to make coarse brushes. 



232. Phleum L. Timothy. A small 

 genus of cold regions, recognized by the 

 densely cylindrical spike-like panicles, and 

 1-flowered much-compressed spikelets. Only 



1 species is native in America, the moun- 

 tain timothy (P. alpinum L.) of the higher 

 mountains and arctic regions. Common 

 timothy (P. pratense L.) (Fig. 38), a native 

 of Europe, is our most important cultivated 

 meadow-grass. In some localities this grass 

 is known as herd's-grass. 



Phleum pratense L. Timothy. Perennial; culms 

 in tufts, somewhat bulbous at base, erect, smooth, 



2 to 3 feet high; sheaths smooth; ligule membranace- 

 ous, 2 to 3 mm. long or the uppermost longer; 

 blades flat, a few inches to a foot long; panicle 

 densely cylindrical and spike-like, 2 to 5 inches 

 long, obtuse; glumes about 3 mm. long, excluding 

 the 1 to 2 mm. long awn, compressed, abruptly 

 rounded to the awn, long-ciliate on the keel, the 

 lemma and palea about equal, thin, half as long as 



the glumes. 



J 233. Alopecurus L. A small 

 genus of wide distribution, in cold tem- 

 perate regions and in high altitudes, 

 one species of which, meadow foxtail 

 (A. pratensis), a native of Europe, is 

 occasionally cultivated as a meadow- 

 grass. This species may be recognized by its resemblance 

 to timothy in having densely cylindrical spike-like 

 panicles, but differing in having awns on the back of 



FIG. as. Phieum pra- 



tense. Inflorescence, X Yi\ 



&nd mature 



