GRASSES 



GRASSES 



369 



not be confounded with Johnson- grass, which it 

 resembles somewhat in appearance. It is not so 

 hardy as Johnson- grass, and is less troublesome. 

 It furnishes much of the roughage found on the 

 markets in the West Indies. 



miliaeeum, Linn. Broom -corn Millet. Hog 

 Millet. (Pig. 524.) A rather coarse annual, two 

 to four feet high, with hispid sheaths and large, 

 drooping panicles. A native of the Old World, 

 where it has been cultivated since prehistoric 

 times. Cultivated in Europe and Asia for 

 forage and also for the seed, which is used 

 for food. In this country it is cultivated to 

 a limited extent for forage. This is the 

 true millet of the Old World. In the United 

 States the name millet is given to Chcetochloa 

 Italiea. (Because of its quick growth it is 

 adapted to the North, and is grown some- 

 what extensively in the Dakotas. It is much 

 more drought-resistant than the other 

 millets.) [See Millet and Meadows and 

 Pastures.'] 



Grits -gain, Linn. Barnyard Grass. 

 (Pigs. 525 and 526.) A common annual 

 weed probably introduced from Europe, though 

 some forms are native in the United States. 

 Differs from the other species in having awned 

 spikelets, for which reason some authors refer it 

 to the genus Echinoehloa. Inflorescence a raceme 

 of short spikes. Certain forms of this species 

 are sparingly grown in this country under 

 the name of Japanese barnyard millet, 

 These and the form cultivated in Asia 

 for the grain are sometimes known 

 as Panicumfrumentaceum,, and 

 are shorter-awned than the 

 common forms. 



8. Cheetochloa (Greek, 

 bristle-grass). A genus of 

 annual or perennial 



grasses of about forty 

 species, found in the warm 

 regions of both hemispheres. 

 Spikelets with the structure of 

 Panicum, but interspersed with rough- 

 ened bristles which usually extend be^ 

 yond the spikelets. Inflorescence a dense, 

 cylindrical spike. Alsp known as Setaria. Sev- 

 eral species are common weeds in cultivated 

 soil, e. g., C viridis and C. glauea (Fig. 527), 

 foxtail or pigeon-grass. 



Italiea, Scribn. Millet. Hungarian -grass. 

 (Fig. 528.) A coarse annual with thick green 

 or purple spikes, cultivated for forage, espe- 

 cially in the region of the Great Plains. Native 

 of the Old World. Also called Bengal-grass. 

 [See Millet and Meadows and Pastures^ 



9. Pennisetum (Greek, feather bristle). A genus 

 of annual or perennial grasses comprising about 

 forty species, found in the tropics of both hemi- 

 spheres, but more especially the eastern. Spikelets 



B24 



as in Panicum, but surrounded by a clustei lt' 

 bristles which fall from the axis with the spikelei; 

 (except in the cultivated form). Inflorescence a 

 raceme or spike. 



spicatum, R. and S. (Pennisetum typhoideum, 

 Rich.; Penieellaria spieata, Willd.). Pearl mil- 

 let. (Fig. 529.) A tall, coarse, annual grass, 

 resembling sorghum, but having a dense cylin- 

 drical inflorescence six to fourteen inches in 

 length and an inch or less in diameter. The 

 origin of pearl millet is unknown, but it has 

 been cultivated in tropical Africa and Asia 

 for an indefinite period for forage and for 

 the seed, which is used for food. It is now 

 cultivated in the United States to some ex- 

 tent for forage, and the seed is some- 

 times sold under the name of Pencilaria 

 and Mand's Wonder forage plant. For 

 further account', see United States 

 Department of Agriculture, Farmers' 

 Bulletin, No. 168. [See Millet] 



10. Stenotaphrum (Greek, narrow 



trench, alluding to cavities in the 



rachis). A genus of grasses of three 



or four species, found in the tropical 



regions of both hemispheres. Spikelets as 



in Panicum, but sunken in the cavities 



of the one-sided broad axis, forming short 



spikes. 



secundatum, Kuntze {S. Americanum, Schr.). 

 St. Augustine Grass. (Fig. 530.) A creeping 

 grass with flat stems and obtuse leaves, found 

 in the southern states, , mostly near the coast, 

 as far north as South Carolina. The flowering 

 stems may be as much as a foot high. 

 The plants root readily at the 

 nodes and form a thick sod, 

 and hence the grass is 

 especially valuable 

 for lawns or for 

 holding em- 

 Fig. 525. "^:-s!. bankments, 



Barnyard grass 

 (Panieum Crus-galU). 

 Common awned form. 



both in sandy and in mucky soil. The American 

 plant is considered distinct from the Asiatic (S. 

 dimidiatum, Kuntze). It is known locally as 

 Charleston lawn grass and mission grass. 



11. Oryza (Latin name for rice). A genus of 

 grasses comprising about six species, occurring in 

 the tropics of both hemispheres. Aquatic plants 

 with flat leaves and terminal panicles. Spikelets 

 one-flowered, strongly flattened laterally; glumes 

 much shorter than the spikelet. 



sativa, Lmn. Rice. (Fig. 531.) An annual grass, 

 native of southeastern Asia and extensively culti- 

 vated in the warmer regions of both hemispheres 

 for the grain, which is used for food. [See Rice.] 

 12. Phalaris (Greek, 'tehining, referring to the 

 seed). A genus of grasses of about a dozen species, 

 mostly in southern Europe, but five in North 

 America. Inflorescence a spike-like panicle. Spike- 

 lets one-flowered, strongly flattened latterly, artic- 



