30 GRAMINEAE (GRASS FAMILY) 
SWITCH-GRASS 
Pdnicum virgatum, L. 
Native. Perennial. Propagates by seeds and by rootstocks. 
Time of bloom: August to September. 
Seed-time: September to October. : : 
Range: Maine to Manitoba, southward to Florida and Mexico. 
Habitat: Sandy soil; prairies, in the interior; salt marshes along 
the coast; banks of streams, low meadows. 
In many places where the soil may be in danger of washing, the 
strong, creeping rootstocks of this grass make it valuable as a binder, 
and its hard, thickly tufted stalks serve as a check to drifting sands 
in the marshes along the coast. But as forage it is practically 
worthless, except when very young, and it is an undesirable occu- 
pant of meadows and pastures. 
Culms three to five feet tall, smooth, often glaucous. Sheaths 
smooth ; blades a foot or more long, about a half-inch wide, smooth, 
flat, slightly rough on the margins. Panicles very large, erect, six 
to twenty inches long, spreading, pyramidal, purple when in bloom. 
Spikelets one-seeded, ovate, pointed, about a sixth of an inch long, 
very numerous. 
Means of control 
Where practicable the rootstocks may be destroyed most readily 
by cultivation of the ground for one or two seasons. Early and 
frequent cutting is necessary in order to secure the forage while 
in good condition and to prevent the development of seed ; at the 
same time such treatment will starve the rootstocks. 
BARNYARD GRASS 
Echinéchloa crus-gdlli, Beauv. 
(Panicum crus-gdlli, L.) 
Other English names: Cockspur Grass, Cocksfoot Panicum. 
Introduced. Annual. Propagates by seeds. 
Time of bloom: July to September. 
Seed-time: August to October. 
Range: All cultivated regions of the world. 
Habitat: Moist, rich soil; gardens, fields, and waste places. 
