12 



it is very seldom ground or used for flour, though it is said to exceed all other kinds 

 ■of meal or flour in nutritive elements. An acre well cultivated will yield from 60' 

 to 70 bushels of seed. Cut in the blossom, as it should be for feeding to cattle, the 

 seed is comparatively valueless. If allowed to ripen its seed, the stalk is no more 

 nutritious, probably, than oat straw. 



33. P. obtusnm. H. B. K. Texas, Arizona, and Mexico. 



This species lias a strong running rootstock, which at intervals 

 sends up flowering cnlms 1^ to 2 feet high. The leafy runners 2 to 

 3 feet long are sent out from the base, and at intervals form thick- 

 ened, woolly knots or nodes which eventually take root. This grass 

 will evidently have great endurance of drought, and is deserving of 

 trial with reference to its agricultural value. 



34. P. paspaloides, Pers. Florida to Texas. 



35. P. plantagineum, Linn. Ballast ground, Philadelphia. 



36. P. platyphyllum, Jtfunro. Texas. 



A peculiar grass having the appearance of a Pa»j>alu?n. 



37. P. prolifernm, Lam. Widespread from New England to Texas. 

 P. proliferum, var. geniculatum. (P. geniculatum, Ell.) South- 

 ern States. 



This variety occurs in the Southern States, where it is sometimes 

 called " sprouting crab-grass." It is an annual, growing in low, 

 moist ground. The stems are at first erect, then become decumbent 

 and spreading, frequently attaining a length of 6 or 7 feet, bent and 

 rootiDg at the lower joints. It has much the same habit as P. Tex- 

 anuin, but the stems are smooth and more flattened ; the leaves also 

 are smoother and longer. The stems are sometimes nearly an inch 

 thick at the base and very succulent, The main stem is terminated 

 by a diffuse panicle sometimes 2 feet long. Dr. Chas. Mohr, of 

 Mobile, says of it : 



In damp grassy places it prefers rich ground throughout the coast region. It 

 commences to vegetate vigorously in the hottest part of the summer, throwing out 

 numerous shoots from the joints, forming large-branched bushes. The foliage is 

 rich and tender, and the succulent, thick stems are sweet and juicy. After cutting 

 it throws out numerous sprouts from the lower joints, which grow rapidly, so as to 

 allow repeated cuttings until frost. It is through all stages of its growth much rel- 

 ished by horses and cattle. 



3S. P. prostratum, Lam. Gulf States. 



39. P. ramulosum, JlicAx. (P. dichot. var.) Southern States. 



40. P. repens, Linn. Introduced. Gulf coast. 



P. repens, var. confertum, Yasey. Gulf coast. 



