REDTOP 171 



doubtful if it is endemic in North America. Agrostis 

 vulgaris is, however, certainly native to North America, 

 one form being abundant in the coastal lands of New 

 England and known as " Rhode Island Bent." 



Other native American varieties are aristata which 

 occurs from Maine to Virginia and differs by having an 

 awn rising from near the base of the lemma ; and maritima 

 which has long, decumbent, rooting stems, occurring along 

 the coast from Newfoundland to Delaware. 



The cultivated varieties are only three; namely, com- 

 mon redtop, which is typical Agrostis alba L. ; Rhode 

 Island Bent, which is the native American form of Agros- 

 tis vulgaris Withering; and Creeping Bent of Europe, 

 commonly sold as Agrostis stolonifera, but it is not the 

 plant so named by Linnaeus. 



164. Agricultural history. Redtop was first brought 

 into prominence by Dr. William Richardson in Ireland in 

 1807, though apparently this was not its first cultivation, 

 as Vianne states that it was grown in France in 1761. It 

 was early introduced into the United States, but no record 

 before 1807 has been found. 



165. Adaptations. Redtop has probably a wider 

 range of adaptation to climatic and soil conditions than 

 any other cultivated grass. It succeeds well over most 

 of the United States except the drier regions and the ex- 

 treme South. In resistance to cold it is at least equal to 

 timothy, and it withstands summer heat much better. 

 At Copper Center, Alaska, it matures seed. 



It thrives best on moist or wet soils, and will even grow 

 vigorously in 'the bottom of shallow ponds, which later 

 become dry. When thus growing aquatically, the leaf 

 blades float on the surface and the grass is not readily 

 recognized. Provided moisture is abundant, it does not 



