104 



A MANUAL OF FARM GRASSES 



fornia to British Columbia. In this region it is a weed 

 and at times becomes a pest. Velvet grass has been long 

 known in Europe where it is used in mix- 

 tures. 



Velvet grass is an erect perennial, i to 3 

 feet high, grayish velvety all over, with 

 flat blades, 2 to 4 inches long, and an 

 oblong condensed panicle, 2 to 4 inches 

 long, open at flowering but contracted 

 and almost spike-like at other 

 times. The panicle is soft 

 and pale or purplish in color. 

 The spikelets are about 1/5 

 inch long, with pubescent 

 glumes longer than the 2 flor- 

 ets, the upper of which bears 

 on the back a hooked awn. 

 Velvet grass is sometimes incor- 

 rectly called mesquite. In England it 

 has other names, such as meadow soft grass 

 and Yorkshire fog, little used in this country. 

 The botanical name is Notholcus lanatus (L.) 

 Nash. It has also been called Holcus lanatush. 



ST. AUGUSTINE GRASS 



St. Augustine grass is much used as a 



. „ ^, lawn grass in alluvial or 

 19. St. Augustine Grass. I he 

 upper part of a plant showing mucky soil near the coast 

 two seed heads or spikes. from North Carolina to 



Florida and Louisiana. It 

 is a creeping perennial with flat stems, rather short. 



