94 
along the borders of woods and open thickets, ranging from New York southward 
near r the coast and westward to Tennessee. It is of no recognized agricultural 
value. 
Uniola latifolia Michx. Broad-leafed Spike-grass; Wild Fescue-grass; Wild Oats. 
(Fig. 88.) 
Erect, with rather stout, leafy stems 2 to 4 feet high, and drooping panicles of large, 
ikelets. e leaves are broad and widely spreading, and these, together 
and westward to Illinois. A grass of little or no agricultural value 
Uniola palmeri Vasey. 
A stout perennial with branching stems 2 to 4 feet high growing in the tidewater 
es at the mouth of the Colorado River. The seeds form one of the prin- 
cipal food grains of the Cocopa Indians of southern California. 
Uniola paniculata Linn. Seaside Oats; Beach-grass; Spike-grass. 
A native, with stout, erect stems 3 to 5 feet high, long, rigid leaves, and show 
nodding panicles of broad, pale straw-colored spikelets. The panicles are 
f which it is a southern analogue. The leaves are sometimes 
pese by caiie but the grass is too tough and dry to be of any importance 
as a forage plant. Uniola condensata of similar habit of growth, but with more 
densely flowered panicles, is found in the sands along the coast of southern Cali- 
fornia. 
Zea gracillima var. variegata Hort. 
A garden variety of Maize with variegated leaves. 
Zea mays Linn. Indian Corn or Maize. 
` 
One of the most valued of the cultivated cereals. The many varieties which have 
originated in cultivation have been variously classified. They differ much in 
size, in the form, size, color, and hardiness of the grain, and in the time required 
for ripening. Husk Maize, in which the kernels are separately enveloped in 
broad, herbaceous glumes, may approach the native form, which doubtless had 
its origin in tropical America. Mais de coyote, regarded by some as a distinct 
species, is said to grow wild in some parts of Mexico. The stems of this variety : 
e b 
axils all along the branches. The kernels are rounded and depressed, or conical 
with a rather acute apex pointing forward in two opposite rows, or irreg gularly 
arranged in four to six rows. Aside from its great value as a cereal, ordinary 
field corn is the best of the annual are plants for rra and is also valued 
the corn meal is used in making * brown bread"; green corn, boiled or roasted, is 
very largely eaten in its season, and canned enin. is an important article of food ; 
pickled green corn also is a favorite dish with many; hulled corn, or hominy, 
prepared by soaking the ripe grain in lye for a certain length of tine and a 
+h 1 as fat. y E MS ts f. iba diae in NL 
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