28 



Although so much esteemed iii the South, it is considered a pest in 

 the Northern States. (Plate 15.) 



Panicum virgatum (Tall Panic Grass ; Switch Grass). 



A. tall perennial grass, 3 to 5 feet high, growing mostly in clumps in 

 moist or even in dry, sandy soil, very common on the sea-coast, and 

 also in the interior to the base of the Rocky Mountains. This is a good 

 and prolific grass if cut when young ; when ripe it becomes harsh and 

 unpalatable. It forms a large constituent of the native grasses of the 

 prairies, particularly in moist localities. It is said to be cultivated in 

 some parts of Colorado, and with very satisfactory results. (Plate 1C.) 



Panicum agrostoides. (Redtop Panicum.) 



This is a perennial grass, commonly growing in large clumps in wet 

 meadows or on the muddy margins of lakes and rivers. It grows 4 to 

 G feet high, is erect in habit, and developes its reddish panicles from 

 several of the joints as well as at the apex. The stem is somewhat 

 flattened and very smooth, as are the sheaths ; the leaves are 1 to 2 

 feet long, about half an inch wide, and somewhat rough on the margins 

 and midrib. The terminal panicle is 6 to 12 inches long, at first some- 

 what close, but becoming quite open and diffuse. The lateral panicles 

 are shorter and partly inclosed by the sheath at the base. The branches 

 of the panicle are mostly 1 or 2 inches long and rather densely flowered 

 nearly to the base. The spikelets are a little more than a line long on 

 very short pedicels, mostly racemose on one side of the branches, oblong, 

 acute, the lower empty glume ovate, acute, half as long as the upper 

 one, which is rather long-pointed and five-nerved ; the lower or sterile 

 flower is a little shorter than the longer glume and a little shorter than 

 the perfect flower, which is oblong, obtuse, and under a lens shows a 

 few beards at the apex. This grass produces a large amount of foliage, 

 which makes fair hay if cut before flowering time; if left later it con- 

 tains too many wiry stalks. It may be utilized as a hay crop in low 

 grounds, but it is doubtful if it can be made productive on dry, tillable 

 land. (Plate 17.) 



Panicum anceps. (Two-edged Panic Grass.) 



A perennial grass, when well developed resembling the preceding, but 

 of a smaller, lighter growth, generally found in moist clay soil. It has a 

 flattish erect stem, 2 to 3 feet high, with smooth leaves a foot or more 

 long, of a bluish-green color, and mostly near the base of the stem. The 

 root-stock is thick, scaly, and creeping near the surface of the ground. 

 The panicle is 6 to 12 inches long, with short branches near the top, the 

 lateral branches 3 to inches long, rather distant, erect or somewhat 

 spreading. Usually there are also several smaller lateral panicles from 

 the upper joints of the culm. The spikelets are about a line and a half 

 long, a little longer than those of Panicum agrostoides, oblong, lanceo- 

 hi to, a little curved, and sessile, or on very short pedicels. The lower 

 empty glume is broadly ovate, and about half as long as the five to 



