MILLET GRASSES. 137 



fodder, which might be repeatedly cut without injuty, 

 though it is of little value for feeding stock. 



The Common Canary Grass (Phalaris Canariensis) 

 is cultivated in gardens, and to some extent in fields 

 and waste places, for the sake of the seed for the canary- 

 bird. It has a spiked, oval panicle ; glumes wing- 

 keeled ; rudimentary flowers smooth, and half the\ 

 length of the perfect one. Flowers in July and August. 



56. Milium. Millet Grass. 



Spikelets diffusely panicled, not jointed with their 

 pedicels ; stamens three ; stigmas branched ; grain not 

 grooved, enclosed in the pales, all falling together. 



Millet Grass {Milium effusum) is found growing 

 commonly in moist, shady woods, mountain meadows, 

 and on the borders of streams. Panicle widely diffuse, 

 compound ; glumes ovate, very obtuse ; leaves broad 

 and flat, thin ; root perennial; flower oblong. Flowers 

 in June. Introduced. Of no value for cultivation, ex- 

 cept as a green manuring plant, the foliage possessing 

 but slight nutritive qualities. The seeds are millet-like, 

 one hundred and fifty thousand to the pound, and are 

 sought by birds. It will thrive transplanted to open 

 places. 



■ Double-bearing Millet Grass {Milium pursMi) is 

 found on the moist, sandy pine barrens of New Jersey. 

 Referred by Gray to Amphicarpum. 



57. Cynosurus. 



Spikelets three to five flowered, with a comb-like in- 

 volucre at the base of each ; inflorescence racemed ; 

 florets tipped with a rough awn.' 



Crested Dog's-tail {Cynosurus cristatus). — Fig. 

 120. This grass is rarely found here, but has been 



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