232 A TEXT-BOOK OF GRASSES 



slender soft leaves and is more densely tufted than red 

 fescue. It is used for shaded places in lawns where other 

 grasses will not thrive. 



Several native species of Festuca are important range grasses. 

 Festuca idahoensis Elmer (F. ingrata (Hack.) Rydb.) is common in 

 Oregon, Washington and Idaho. It is related to F. ovina and has 

 numerous involute, stiff, scabrous blades and a rather large, spreading 

 panicle, the lemmas awned, F. viridula Vasey is a green erect 

 species with creeping rootstocks and awnless lemmas. It is a 

 valuable range grass of the mountain meadows. 



One section of the genus includes several species of small 

 annuals. One species, F. octo flora Walt., is common in dry open 

 ground throughout the United States. In the western states there 

 are several other species, some of which are sufficiently abundant 

 in the desert regions to produce forage after the rainy season. 



258. Bromus L. — Brome-grass. A large genus, found 

 mostly in the north temperate zone. Annuals or per- 

 ennials with closed sheaths, and open or contracted 

 panicles of comparatively large spikelets; lemmas keeled 

 or rounded on the back, bifid at apex, usually awned 

 from between the teeth. Several annual species have been 

 introduced from Europe and have become troublesome 

 weeds, especially on the Pacific coast. One species is 

 called cheat or chess {B, secalinus) and is a weed in grain- 

 fields in the eastern states. This species is cultivated for 

 hay in Oregon and Washington. This has an open panicle 

 of plump short-awned spikelets. The species of Bromus, 

 even the annuals, are good forage grasses, at least when 

 young. 



259. Awnless brome-grass. — ^An erect perennial with 

 creeping rhizomes, flat blades and open panicles of slightly 

 flattened spikelets, the lemmas awnless or nearly so. A 

 native of Europe and cultivated in the northwestern 

 states as a forage grass. 



