XIV. KEVISIOiN OF THE MINNESOTA SPECIES OF 

 BRASSES OF THE TRIBE HOEDEAE. 



Francis Ramaley. 



The great economic value and historic interest of the tribe 

 Hordeae make it one of the most noteworthy groups in the 

 whole vegetable kingdom. Containing as it does the wheat, 

 rye and barley of cultivation it thus furnishes a very consider- 

 able portion of the food supply of man. Our own native 

 grasses of this group are of great importance to the stockman 

 and farmer. Agropyron glaucum var. occiclentale, which is 

 known as Blue Stem or Blue Joint among the ranchmen of the 

 west is highly prized for grazing purposes. Experiments 

 made with it in various parts of this country show that it is 

 especially valuable in localities subject to drouth. The root 

 stocks running out in every direction and taking root, make it 

 a grass very easily introduced. These rootstocks are said to 

 be particularly acceptable to horses and cattle and are greedily 

 devoured by them. Agropyron tenerum, also a valuable hay 

 and meadow grass, is abundant in some places in the western 

 part of the state. Elymus canadensis is a conspicuous grass 

 frequent along roadsides. Hordeum jubatum would be a fine 

 ornamental grass did not the inflorescence break so easily. 

 Hystrix Tiysirix is very noticeable from its peculiar "bottle- 

 brush" appearance. 



In view of the importance of the tribe in general it has 

 seemed worth while to make careful and systematic descrip- 

 tions of the Minnesota species together with as complete 

 synonomy as possible. The descriptions have been written 

 after comparison of specimens from various parts of the 

 country, while constant reference has been made to the ac- 

 cepted authorities on the subject. 



