AGROSTIDK.E. 207 



An extremely variable perouuial ; culms simple, slenrler, erect, 

 15-40 cm. high. Sheaths longer thuu the iuteruodes, pilose at the 

 throat; blades Hat or involute, the lower numerous, 3-10 cm. long, 

 those of the culm about 3 in number and variable in length. 

 Panicle slender, loosely few-llowei'ed, 7-15 cm. long, interrupted 

 at the base; rays nearly sessile or on slender flexuose pedicels. 

 Empty glumes l-nerveil, often bifid, with a very short straight 

 awn, lirst 0-9 mm. long, second 9-18 mm. long; floret 7-14 mm. 

 long, awns equal, si)reading, 15-70 mm. long. A polymorphous 

 species, with the extremes of which I am not certain that I am 

 familiar. 



Colorado to 'I'exas. 



Var. Californica Vasey, Contrib. U. S. Nat. Herb. 3:47(1803). 



Culms about 00 cm. high; pauicle rather densely maiiy-Uow- 

 ered, 15-20 cm. long; lower rays in clusters of 7-10, the longest 

 4 cm. long; first glume 8 mm. long, second 10 mm. long; floral 

 glume 10 mm. long; aAvns 3-4 cm. long. 



Arizona, Lemmon 402; California, IT. S. Dept. Agricul. 1540 

 from Pari>ih. 



Yar. Fendleriana (Stcud.) Vasey, 1. c. A. Fendkriana Steud. 

 Syn. PI. Gram. 420 (1855). 



Culms 10-20 cm. high; rays short, erect, mostly 1-flowered. 



Mew Mexico, C. Fendler 973. 



Var. Hookeri Trin. & Rupr. Mem. Acad. St. Petersb. 5:120 

 (1842). Sixty cm. high; first glume 9-13 mm. long, second 8-20 

 mm. long; floret 13 mm. long; awns 5-7 cm. long. 



It contributes to the forage on the plains, though rather dry 

 and tough. 



Kansas, Drummond 203, Wriglit 336, 2000, 2003, 2004; 

 Montana, Scribner S3 ; Mexico. 



Var. micrantha Vasey, Contrib. U. S. Xat. Herb. 47 (1892). 



Culms erect to decumbent, much branched below. 30-50 cm. 

 high. First glume 3.5-4 mm. long, second 7-8 mm. long; floret 

 7 mm. long; awns equal, spreading, 2 cm. long. 



West Texas. 



