60 GRAMINEAE (GRASS FAMILY) 



empty glume at the base slightly shorter than the spikelet, a character 

 which distinguishes it from its annual relative the Poison Darnel, 

 which has the subtending empty glume longer than the spikelet. 



Means of control 



Sow clean seed. Prevent the production of seed by early cutting. 

 Though perennial, it is rather short-lived, and if not allowed to seed, 

 may soon be crowded out of the ground by other and more profit- 

 able grasses. 



DARNEL 



Lblium temulentum, L. 



Other English names: Poison Darnel, 

 Bearded Darnel, White Darnel, Ivray, 

 Poison Rye-grass, Annual Ray-grass. 



Introduced. Annual. Propagates by 

 seeds. 



Time of bloom : Late June to July. 



Seed-time: July to August. 



Range: Locally in most of the United 

 States as far south as Georgia ; abun- 

 dant on the Pacific Coast ; occasional 

 in Canada from New Brunswick to 

 Manitoba ; very troublesome in Red 

 River Valley. 



Habitat : Grain fields and waste places. 



Darnel is now said to be poisonous 

 only when diseased, its toxic properties 

 being due to a fungus which has recently 

 been discovered in the tissues under the 

 seed coats. It is reputed to be most 

 dangerous in wet seasons or when grown 

 on wet soil. When ground with wheat, 

 bread made from the flour is likely to 

 cause " eruptions, trembling, and con- 

 fusion of sight in man and flesh-eat- 

 ing animals"; and if the seeds are 

 malted with barley, the ale or beer 

 "causes intoxication very suddenly"; 



FIG. 30. - Darnel (Lolium but the P lant is s . aid n * to be harmful in 

 temulentum). x i. any way to grazing animals, and makes 



