GRASSES OF OHIO 313 



1. Panicum agrostoides Spreng. Agrostis-like Panic-grass. An 



erect, rather stout, glabrous perennial, l-3j/> ft. high, with loose 

 sheaths and a purplish, oblong-ovate panicle, 6-12 in. long, the 

 branches stiffly ascending. Spikelets crowded on sparsely hairy, short 

 pedicels; lemma oval. 



In wet ground and along shores. July-Sept. Portage, Erie. 



2. Panicum stipitatum Nash. Long Panic-grass. A branched, 

 erect perennial with compressed stems, 3-5 ft. high, and leaf-blades 

 1 ft. or more long, often purplish and scabrous. Inflorescence a pyra- 

 midal, purplish panicle; spikelets secund, acuminate, crowded; lemma 

 narrowly elliptic and raised on a delicate stalk. 



In moist soil. July-Sept. Northeastern Ohio to Lorain, Fair- 

 field and Columbiana Counties. 



3. Panicum virgatum L. Tall Smooth Panic-grass. A tall 

 glabrous perennial grass, Z-7 2 /^ ft. high, with creeping rhizomes, and 

 loose panicles with ascending or spreading branches. Spikelets ovate, 

 acute to acuminate ; outer empty glume about one-half as long 

 as the spikelet ; first lemma usually subtending a palet and staminate 

 flow r er. Second lemma shining, inclosing a perfect flower. An im- 

 portant grass. 



It makes fair hay when cut young. In dry or moist soil, es- 

 pecially in prairies. Aug., Sept. General. 



4. Panicum dichotomiflorum Mx. Spreading Panic-grass. A 

 glabrous branching annual grass with compressed decumbent and 

 geniculate stems, 4-6 ft. long, and a diffuse pyramidal panicle with 

 the lower branches at length widely spreading. Spikelets crowded, 

 lanceolate, acute, glabrous, sometimes purplish ; outer empty glume 

 one-fourth as long as the spikelet ; fertile lemma elliptic, shining. 



A weed. Cattle and horses are very fond of it. In wet soil and 

 cultivated fields. July-Sept. General. 



5. Panicum miliaceum L. Millet Panic-grass. An erect or de- 

 cumbent annual grass with rather stout stems, 1-2 ft. high, and a 

 dense panicle drooping at maturity. Sheaths papillose-hirsute. Spike- 

 lets ovoid, acuminate, turgid; outer empty glume 2 /z as long as the 

 spikelet. 



In waste places. A good fodder grass. Sometimes cultivated 

 as a cereal. July-Sept. Lawrence, Richland, Erie. Introduced from 

 Europe. 



6. Panicum capillare L. Tumble Panic-grass. A stout spar- 

 ingly branched, erect or decumbent annual, \-?}A ft. high, with 

 papillose-hirsute sheaths and a very large diffuse panicle witli capil- 

 lary branches, at first included in the sheath but later becoming 

 exserted and finally breaking off at maturity as a tumble grass. 

 Spikelets acute; outer empty glume Ya~Y 2 as long as the spikelet. 



