IN TENNESSEE. 217 



ANDROPOGON MACROURUS, mchx.~(Cluster-flowered Beard 

 Grass. ) 



This has stems two or three feet high, branched, with many spikes, 

 bushy, forming thick clusters; rough, hairy sheaths. 



It differs from the preceding species of same genus in growing in 

 swampy lands Like the others, it is worthless. 



ANDROPOGON ARGENTEUS, ^.--(Silver Broom Grass). 



Spikelets in pairs, on peduncles exceeding the sheaths, dense and silky. 

 Flowers in September. 



Not frequent. East Tennessee along the mountains. It 

 is useless to the agriculturist. 



Another interesting species of the division of the Andro- 

 pogoneae is the Sorghum nutans, Gray, a tall and elegant 

 grass, 3-6 feet high, with a narrowly oblong panicle at 

 length drooping, of russet brown and shining color. It 

 grows either single or but few culms from one root and 

 passes under the name of Wood Grass or Indian Grass, 

 und is one of the most conspicuous objects in open barrens 

 and waste places during the late fall season. The farmers 

 in the Western countries, in default of meadows cut this 

 and A. Scoparius and Furcatus before heavy frost, and store 

 it as hay. 



Two other species related to the above are found in the 

 State, viz : Erianthus alopecuroides and Erianthus strictus, 

 both growing on siliceous soil, (Tullahoma, White-bluff, etc. 

 etc). The first deserves to be cultivated as a garden orna- 

 ment for its large and plume-like spike which is exceeding- 

 ly graceful. 



TRIPSACUM DACTYLOIDES, L.--(Z%e Gama Grass}. Perennial 



This species is frequently overlooked for it resembles 

 greatly a depauperate form of Indian corn from the outline 

 of the flowerspike and the broad leaves, which look exactly 

 like those of corn. But the tassel which is only male in corn, 

 bears here both female aiid male flowers, and the lateral 

 spike of the corn is absent. Where it is abundant and better 

 supplies not on hand, it is cut and dried for fodder. 



