140 THE PANIC GBASSKS. 



FiNGBE-SHAPED Paspalum (Fospdum digitaria) is 

 also found in Virginia, and further south, growing from 

 one to two feet high; spikes slender and sparsely^ 

 flowered. 



69. Panicum. Fanic Grasses. 



Spikeleta panicled or racemed, sometimes spiked; 

 glumes two, the lower one short, minute, or wanting ; 

 lower flower neutral, rarely awned; upper perfect; 

 stamens three ; stigmas usually purple. 



Slender Cbab Geass (Fanicum filiforme) is an 

 annual finger grass, somewhat resembling the Finger- 

 shaped Paspalum, but the upper glume equals the flower, 

 while the lower is nearly wknting, and the spikes are 

 more erect. It flourishes on sandy, dry soils, especially 

 near the coast. Flowers in August. 



Smooth Ceab Geass {Fanicum glcArvm) resembles 

 the last, with the spikes digitate, three to four, spread- 

 ing ; rachis flat and thin, spikelets ovoid. It is common 

 in cultivated grounds, waste places, and on sandy fields. 

 Flowers in August and September. A troublesome 

 weed. 



FiNGBE Geass, Common Ceab Geasb {Fanicum san- 

 guinale). — The panic grasses are widely spread and 

 common all over the country. 



The stems of the Finger Grass are from one to two 

 feet high, erect, spreading ; leaves and sheaths hairy ; 

 spikes four to fifteen ; digitate ; upper glume half the 

 length of the flower ; lower one small. It grows on 

 waste or neglected cultivated grounds and gardens, and 

 yards, and is generally regarded as a troublesome weed. 

 Introduced. Flowers from August to October. 



Double-headed Panic {Fanicum anceps) is found 

 on the wet pine barrens of New Jersey to Virginia, and 



