24 THE GRASSES OF MAINE. 



j ( Flowering glume sharp-pointed at the tip 2 



( Flowering glume with an awn at the tip M. sylvatica. 



o f Lower glumes with awns at the tip M. glomerata. 



\ Lower glumes without awns at the tip M. Mexicana. 



12. MUHLENBERGIA GLOMERATA, Tl'inillS. 



Mu-len-ber'-gi-a glom-e-ra'-ta. 



PLATE VI. 



Common Names. Spiked Muhlenbergia, Cluster-Spiked Muhlen- 

 bergia, Clustering Muhlenbergia. 



Stems erect, from one to three feet high, seldom branching. Pan- 

 icle from two to four inches long, composed of numerous, close clus- 

 ters of flowers, forming an interrupted, glomerate spike. Glumes 

 long, narrow and acute, equal in length, each tapering into an awn 

 as long as the glume ; flowering glume and palea unequal in length, 

 much shorter than the glumes. 



This grass grows on wet, swampy lands, and flowers in August. 

 Dr. Vasey says that it is utilized as one of the native products of 

 wet meadows in the making of what is called wild hay, and in Col- 

 orado and Kansas is recommended as an excellent grass for hay. 

 Specimens from Minnesota were analyzed at the Department of 

 Agriculture and yielded ash lf.02, fat 5.77, nitrogen-free extract, 

 41.21, crude fiber 17.68, albuminoids 20.32. This exceedingly high 

 percentage of the albuminoids is certainly deserving of attention, and 

 this species should be investigated in' this State, for we are liable to 

 find among our wild grasses some which will prove of great value. 



13. MUHLENBERGIA MEXICANA, Trinius. 



Mu-len-ber'-gi-a Mex-i-ca'-na. 

 PLATE VII. 



Common Names. Wood Grass, Mexican Muhlenbergia. 



Stems decumbent (reclining on the ground, the ends inclining to 

 rise) , two or three feet high, very much branched, from scaly creep- 

 ing root-stocks. Panicles along the side and at the end of the stems, 

 sometimes partially enclosed by the sheaths of the leaves. Glumes 

 nearly equal in length, without awns but sharp-pointed, a little shorter 

 than the flowering glume and palea, which are very acute and of 

 equal length. 



