ba 
45 
Elymus virginicus Linn. Ei Smooth Rye-grass; Terrell-grass; Wild 
Rye; Virginia Lyme-grass. (Fig. 39.) 
The most common of our native species of Lyme-grasses, growing along 1 
the borders of woods and thickets, more rarely in the open ground. It is 
erect, smooth grass, 2 to 3 feet high, with rigid terminal spikes, which are tied 
partly included within the upper leaf sheath. This grass has the appearance of 
possessing some agricultural value, but forms no turf, and by the time it blooms 
all the lower leaves are usually dead. When young it doubtless possesses some 
value as a native pasture grass. 
Epicampes rigens Benth. Deer-grass. (Fig. 40.) 
A stout, erect grass, 3 to 4 feet high, with rigid, wiry stems, and a very long, narrow, 
densely flowered, spike-like panicle. This grass is not uncommon in Arizona, 
southern California, and New Mexico, growing in sandy soil. It is regarded as 
one of the best native dry-land grasses, and is closely grazed wherever stock can 
get at it. The roots of Epicampes macroura—Mexican Broom-root or Mexican 
Whisk—are used in making brushes and are exported 
from Vera Cruz to Europe for this purpose. 
Eragrostis abyssinica Link. Teff. 
A branching, leafy annual, 2 to 4 feet high, with widely 
spreading capillary panicles of many spikelets. 
gro 
is extensively used for X. being lado into bread, 
d 
variety, the former being much superior to the latter 
and used only by the higher classes. It is sometimes 
grown in gardens for the elegant panicles, which are 
used in bouquets. A species of Eragrostis, possibly E. 
neo-mexicana Vasey, with the general habit of growth 
of Teft, oceurs in New Mexico, springing up after rains, 
3 in the region about Silver City, where it 
s called“ Crab-grass.“ It is an annual, growing to 
ho height of 2 to 4 feet, with widely 8 many- 
flowered panicles, and is largely cut for 
Eragrostis amabilis. Love grass. 
A native of India, closely related to Candy-grass ( Eragrostis 
minor). Cultivated sometimes in gardens for bouquets. 
Fig. nF “Deer. -grass. (Epi- 
Eragrostis ciliaris Link. Bes rigens.) 
A low, much-branched species with e densely flowered, almost spike-like 
1 Florida to Mexico and South America. This and E. plumosa, which 
has open panicles and is of rather more slender habit, are pretty little orna- 
mental species which might be cultivated for bouquets. 
Eragrostis cynosuroides R. « $. 
A rathor stout, leafy peruana, = > hé = high, with narrow, spike-like panicles 
orthern India. Although a hard grass, it 
is sometimes used: as fodder, mixed with gram (Cicer arietinum) and wheat, when. 
other grasses fail. It produces a strong fiber which is much used for making 
Me This grass is e sacred among the Brahmins. It is a —— ao 
