GRASSES OF OHIO 301 



2. Calamagrostis cinnoides (Muhl.) Scrib. Xuttall's Reed 

 Bent-grass. A glaucous grass with stout, erect, simple stems, 3-5 

 ft. high, and contracted panicles with erect branches. Lemma acum- 

 inate, awned above the middle ; callus-hairs about one-half the length 

 of the flowering glumes ; prolongation of the rachilla bearing a tuft 

 of terminal hairs. 



In moist soil. July, Aug. No specimens. 



37. Agrostis L. Bent-grass. 



Annuals or perennials with flat or bristle-like leaves, membran- 

 ous ligules, and open or contracted panicles. Spikelets 1-flowered ; 

 empty glumes subequal, membranous, keeled, acute ; lemma broad, 

 obtuse, awnless or dorsally awned ; palet hyaline, shorter than the 

 lemma, sometimes minute or wanting; grain free, loosely inclosed 

 in the lemma. 



1. Lemma with a prominent dorsal awn just above the middle ; palet minute 



or none. A. canina. 



1. Lemma awnless or rarely with a short awn. 2 



2. Palet conspicuous, at least half as long as the lemma, 2-nerved; panicle 

 open. A. alba. 



2. Palet inconspicuous, minute and nerveless or wanting. 3 



3. Stems weak, decumbent or prostrate at the base; leaves lax. A. schweinitzii. 



3. Stems and leaves erect. 4 



4. Branches of the panicle not elongated, usually branching at or below the 

 middle. A. perennans. 



4. Branches of the diffuse panicle long and capillary, usually branching above 

 the middle. A. hycmalis. 



1. Agrostis alba L. Red-top (Bent-grass). A perennial grass 

 with erect or decumbent stems, ^-2^ ft. high, with creeping rhi- 

 zomes or stoloniferous, and with a contracted or open usually purplish 

 panicle, the branches verticillate and ascending. Lemma nearly equal- 

 ing the empty glumes, 3-nerved, rarely short-awned. 



An important and valuable grass, extensively cultivated for pas- 

 ture and hay. In fields and meadows. July-Sept. General. From 

 Europe. 



2. Agrostis schweinitzii Trin. Thin Bent-grass. A perennial 

 grass with weak, slender, simple or sparingly branched stems, \-2 l / 2 

 ft. high, from a decumbent or prostrate base, and with an open panicle 

 with widely spreading branches. Lemma shorter than the acuminate 

 unequal empty glumes ; palet small or wanting. 



In damp shaded places. July-Sept. Rather general. 



3. Agrostis hyemalis ( Walt.) B. S. P. Rough Bent-grass. A 

 perennial grass with very slender simple erect stems, 1-2 ft. high, 

 and loose purplish panicles, the whorled capillary branches spikelet- 



