36 



Stipa, Linn. 



Spikelets one-flowered, terete, spicate or paniculate. Outer 

 glumes membranaceous, keeled ; flowering glume narrow, coria- 

 ceous, rigid, involute, with a simple, twisted awn from the apex ; 

 palet usually small and inclosed by the flowering glume. Stamens 

 generally 3. The flowering glume has a hardened, often sharp- 

 pointed and bearded, pedicel or stipe at its base. 



This genus has its principal range in the region of the Rocky 

 Mountains and the Great Plains. They are mostly coarse, rigid 

 grasses, having little agricultural value. In common with many 

 other kinds they are usually called Bunch grass, sometimes Beard 

 grass or Feather grass. The more abundant species are Stipa 

 spartea, S. comata, and ■ S. viridula. These prevail from British 

 America southward, on the plains, and in the mountains. The 

 genus is particularly distinguished by the awn or beard of the flower- 

 ing glume, and the sharp-pointed and barbed stipe or base of the 

 glume. Complaint has been made among stockmen of great injury 

 to sheep by the penetration of these sharp points into their wool, 

 and even into their flesh. The awns or feathery appendages are in 

 some species 4 to 6 inches long, and are subject to a spiral twisting 

 when dry, which assists in forcing the seed into the ground for ger- 

 mination. Stipa avenacea is the only species prevailing in the 

 Eastern and Southern States, and is of no agricultural importance. 

 The long, feathery awns of Stipa pennata are beautiful and orna- 

 mental. 



1. S. avenacea, Linn. Wisconsin, New England, and southward. 



2. S. chrysophylla, Desv. California and Arizona. 



3. S. comata, Trin. Bunch grass. Rocky Mountains. 



4. S. coronata, Ihurb. Arizona and California. 



5. S. eminens, Cav. Arizona and California. 



6. S. flmbriata, H. B. K. New Mexico and Arizona. 



7. S. Kingii, Boiand. California and Nevada. 

 S. S. Mongolica, Turcz. Colorado. Alpine. 



9. S. occidentalis, Thurb. California, Nevada, and Oregon. 



10. S. Parishii, Yasey. Arizona and California. 



11. S. pennata, var. Neo-Mexicana, Thurb. AVest Texas, New 



Mexico to Arizona. 



12. S. Pringlei, Scribner. Arizona. 



13. S. Richardsonii. Link. Maine, Lake Superior to Montana. 



