suitable sites for a few species such as Sphenopholis intermedia. Alluvial woods 

 and flood plains along slow-moving rivers have various species such as Elymus 

 virginica. Rich woods, though often devoid of grasses, may occasionally contain 

 Milium effusum and Leersia virginica. In woods of secondary growth which have 

 been extensively logged species with weedy tendencies such as Danthonia spicata 

 are found. Hystrix patula frequently occurs in woods with talus slopes or cliffs 

 while Agropyron trachycaulum is generally found on more open ledges or talus. 



For some species there is a notable correlation with elevation. An elevation 

 of 1000 feet seems to be the limit for White Oak (Quercus alba) and the 

 Hickories (Carya) in New Hampshire and likewise appears to be the limit for 

 some grasses such as Oryzopsis racemosa and Panicum spretum. The upper limit 

 of the hardwood forest is generally 2000 feet elevation and Cinna latifolia and 

 Muhlenbergia sylvatica are examples of grasses that do not occur above the 

 upper limit of this zone. A coniferous forest of Red Spruce (Picea rubens) and 

 Balsam Fir (Albies balsamea) is characteristic between 2000 feet and 4500 feet 

 and few grasses are contained therein. However, in open areas, particularly 

 ledges, Descbampsia flexuosa and Agrostis borealis often occur. Above treeline 

 one may encounter Hierocbloe alpina and Poa glauca. 



The introduced grasses are most commonly encountered on present or 

 former farm lands. The European grasses most frequently planted for forage 

 were the Brome grasses (especially Bromus inermis), Fescues (Festuca), Bluegrass 

 (Poa pratensis), Timothy (Phleum pratense) and Redtop (Agrostis stolonifera). 

 The commonest weedy grasses are Quack Grass (Agropyron repens) and Orchard 

 Grass (Dactylis glomerata). Such introductions readily spread to roadsides and 

 disturbed areas. 



The predominance of introduced grass species in New Hampshire is much 

 less than in earlier times. During the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries 

 fields and pastures were much more extensive than now and sheep farming and 

 manufacturing of woolen goods was common in settled areas. Such species as 

 Eragrostis minor, Agropyron smithii, Bromus arvensis, Hordeum brachyan- 

 therum and Sporobolus neglectus were collected along railroads, roadsides and 

 wool waste dumping places but no longer appear to be present in the state's grass 

 flora. 



The salting of roads in winter appears to be having some impact on the 

 distribution of some roadside grasses. Cord Grass (Spartina pectinata), a salt 

 tolerant species, shows indications of somewhat rapid spreading along our 

 highways, tending to replace less tolerant species. Reed Grass (Pbragmites 

 australis) also seems to be spreading along highways where construction has 

 impeded drainage. This native grass which frequently inhabits brackish waters 

 along the coast is also tolerant of highway salting. 



A policy has been recently established calling for the planting of fast 

 growing grasses, usually Winter Rye (Secale cereale), to help stabilize roadside 

 embankments of newly constructed sections of highway. This species tends to 

 die out after a year or two but may persist a little longer. Various cultivars of the 

 forage grasses and turf grasses planted in pastures, golf courses and lawns may 

 spread to a limited extent. Some of these may become established locally while 

 others tend to disappear after a few years. 



There are some species of grasses whose place of origin cannot be clearly 

 determined. The natural occurrence of Wild Rice (Zizania aquatica) in New 

 Hampshire is in question. The state is located within the natural range of the 



