, IN TENNESSEE. 237 



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AGROTIS SCABRA, Willd.-( Tickle Grass). 



Another species of agrostis, with a loose spreading, purplish panicie, 

 the branches having the flowers near the apex ; stems slender, and from 

 one to two feet high ; short narrow leaves. It flowers in July. 



Its exceedingly delicate panicles when ripe, are easily 

 broken from the stem, and carried away. On this account 

 it is sometimes called "Fly-away-grass." It is of no value. 



AGROSTIS PEEENNANS, Tuckerm. — Everlasting Bent-Grass. 

 Has a diffusely spreading panicle, pale green ; branches short, di- 

 vided ; flower bearing from the middle, perennial. 



Doubtful whether in this State. Similar to the Herds 

 grass. 



ZIZANIA AQUATICA, L. — ( Water or Indian Rice.) 



This is probably the only species occuring in this State, and this I have 

 never seen yet myself, but from information I believe it to occur quite 

 frequently in West Tennessee. It is a tall growing annual, culms three 

 — nine feet high, leaves flat, two to three feet long. It bears its flowers 

 in a large panicle, the lower branches of which bear the male flowers, 

 and soon drop off, while the upper are female, consisting of two pa- 

 leas, (glumes are absent in this genus), the lower one oblong, keeled, 

 terminating in a straight awn. Seed terete, about half an inch long, 

 blackish when ripe, but white and farinaceous internally. It grows 

 in swamps, and on the borders of rivulets and lakes, very frequent in 

 the northwest, where its grain is a favorite article of food among the 

 Indians, and cattle are also very fond of the herbage. In inundated 

 regions, which are worthless for other cultivation, it ought to be sown 

 like rice. An acre of it is about equal in nutriment to an acre of 

 wheat. 

 ZIZANIA MILIACEA, Michx— 



If it should occur within our territory, is similar to the foregoing, 

 and a perennial. 

 LEERSIA, Solander— {White Grass.) 



Spikelets one flowered, compressed, glumes none. Paleae two, awn- 

 less, closed, equal in length, but the lower one much broader, carinate. 

 Stamens 2-3. 

 LEERSIA ORYZOIDES, Swartz— (Out Grass.) 



Panicle branched, diffuse ; rhizoma creeping, perennial. Culms 3-5 

 feet high geniculate at the base. Leaves 2-3 lines wide, very rough, 

 with minute hooked prickles, as are also the sheaths. 

 Growing in ditches and swamps. September. 



