374 



GRASSES 



GRASSES 



triflora, Gelib. (P. serotina, Ehrh.). Fowl Meadow- 

 grass. (Fig. 552.) This grass closely resembles P. 

 nemoralis. It usually grows taller and has a larger 

 panicle. Probably the best character to distinguish 

 between the two is the ligule, which in triflora 

 is about three millimeters 

 (one -eighth inch) long, 



Fig. 553. Rough-stalked 

 Fig. 552. Fowl meadow-grass meadow-grass (Poa Fig 

 iPoa triflora) and enlarged trivialis) and enlarged 

 spLkelet. spikelet. 



while in nemoralis it is scarcely measurable. This 

 species is native in the northern part of America 

 as well as in Europe. It has been incorrectly re- 

 ferred to P. flava, Linn. Sometimes known as false 

 red-top. 



trivialis, Linn. Rough -stalked Meadow-grass. 

 (Fig. 553.) In general appearance much resembling 

 P. pratensis, but usually with a larger and more 

 spreading panicle. It differs in the absence of well- 

 developed rootstocks, in the sheaths rough to the 

 touch (hence the common name), and in the glabrous 

 marginal nerves of the lemma. Occasionally grown 

 in mixtures for meadows. A native of Europe but 

 escaped from cultivation in the northeastern states. 

 It is adapted to shaded situations. 



25. Festuca (Latin, straw). A genus of about 

 eighty species of mostly perennial grasses, scat- 

 tered over all parts of the globe but chiefly in tem- 

 perate regions. Spikelets several-flowered, glumes 

 narrow and acute ; lemmas rounded on the back, or 

 keeled at apex, often awned from the tip, faintly 

 three- to flve-nerved, rather hard in texture. In- 

 florescence from a narrow raceme to a spreading 

 panicle. 



elatior, Linn. Tall Fescue. A tall grass (three 

 to four feet) with large flat leaves, large but rather 

 narrow panicle and large, five- to ten -flowered, 

 awnless spikelets (about one-half inch long). Native 

 of Europe and cultivated for forage. Frequently 

 escaped from cultivation. A smaller form (var. 

 pratensis, Gray (Fig. 554); E. pratensis, Huds.), with 

 narrower panicle of fewer spikelets, is more com- 

 monly cultivated under the name of meadow fescue, 

 and is a more valuable agricultural grass. Some- 



times called Randall grass. The tall fescue makes 

 a ranker growth than the meadow fescue. 



ovina, Linn, Sheep's Fescue. (Fig. 555.) A low 

 tufted perennial without rootstocks having numer- 

 ous very narrow, wiry basal leaves, narrow panicles, 

 and short-awned lemmas. A variable species, native 

 of temperate regions of the northern hemisphere. 

 Much valued in Europe as a pasture 

 grass, especially for sheep, but little 

 grown in this country. Varieties or 

 closely allied species of this go under 

 the names of various-leaved fescue (F. 

 heterophyUa), hard fescue {F. durius- 

 cula), and iine leaved or slender fescue 

 (F. tenuifolia). 



rubra, Linn. Red Fescue. (Fig. 

 556.) Resembles F. ovina, but usually 

 larger and with a more spreading 

 panicle. Distinguished chiefly by the 

 presence of short rootstocks or creep^ 

 ing bases of the stems, which are 

 often red in color. Some varieties are 

 native along the Atlantic coast and in 

 the western mountains. 



26. Bromus (Greek name for oats). 

 A genus of about one hundred species 

 of annual or perennial grasses, mostly 

 of the north temperate zone. Spikelets 

 several-flowered ; lemmas rounded on 

 the back or sharply keeled, five- to 

 nine-nerved, two-toothed at the apex 

 and awned from between the teeth, or sometimes 

 awnless. Inflorescence a panicle of rather large, 

 erect or pendulous spikelets. Leaves flat. Our 

 native species are all perennial. Several annuals 

 introduced from Europe are troublesome weeds, 

 such as cheat or chess (5. seealinus). 



, 554. Meadow 

 fescue (.Festuca 

 pratensis) . 



Fig. 555. 

 Sheep's fescue 



{Festuca ovina). 



Fig. 556. 



Red fescue 



{Festuca rubra) . 



Fig. 557. Brome grass 

 {BroTmis inermis). 



inermis, Leyss. Russian Brome grass. (Fig. 557.) 

 An erect perennial two to five feet high, with strong 

 creeping rootstocks and a loose, open panicle four 

 to six inches long. Spikelets scarcely flattened, 

 erect, about an inch long, awnless. Native of 



