218 



A TEXT-BOOK OF GRASSES 



There are many other species in the southwestern states and 

 in Mexico, but the 3 described above are the best-known economic 

 species. 



245. Bulbilis Raf. — Buffalo-grass. The single species, 

 B. dactyloides (Nutt.) Raf. (Buchloe dactyloides (Nutt.) 

 Engelm.) (Figs. 48 and 49), a common and often the 

 dominant grass on the Great Plains, is a low stoloniferous 

 perennial that forms a firm sod. The staminate inflores- 

 cence consists of 2 or 3 short 1 -sided spikes on a culm a 

 few inches high; the pistillate spikes are hidden among 

 the leaves near the ground. 



Fio. 49. Bulbilis dactyloides. Pistillate plant, 

 XH; cluster of spikelets and floret, X4. 



