Native gbasses of Kansas. 75 



The spikelets are peculiar in being placed edgewise to the stem ; they are i to f of 

 an inch long, and generally 7 to 11-flowered. The outer empty glume is half or 

 more than half as long as the spikelets, the inner one being absent usually. This 

 species is introduced from Europe, and doubtless to be found in Kansas. An im- 

 portant and very valuable grass in the opinion of those who have cultivated it in 

 the East and the South. ( Plate No. 159.) 



Agropyrum, Beauv. — A genus of perennial grasses easily recognized by the 3 to 5-flowered com- 

 pressed spikelets, which are sessile, and placed with their side against the axis of the simple spike. 

 The outer glumes are nearly equal, 1 to 3-nerved, pointed or awned. The flowering glumes are similar 

 to the others, generally broader, rounded on the back, 3 to 7-nerved, pointed or awned at the apex. 

 The palet is nearly as long as its glume, the two nerves being prominent, ciliate, and almost marginal. 



160. Couch Gbass; Quick Gbass; Quitch Gkass; Wheat Gbass; Twitch Gbass; 

 Dog Gbass; Agropyrum repens, Beauv. — This has extensive root-stocks that take 

 root at every joint; it has an abundance of foliage, and the culms are 2 to 3 feet 

 high, terminated by a close, narrow spike of flowers 3 to 6 inches long. The spike- 

 lets are placed flatwise to the stem, 3 to 8-flowered, with the outer glumes nearly 

 equal, and opposite. This is generally considered one of the very worst of weeds; 

 yet there are those who claim that its nutritive qualities more than compensate for 

 the trouble it gives by its persistent and spreading root-stocks. (Plate No. 160.) 



1603^j. Wheat Gbass; Clump Wheat Gbass; Agropyrum tenerum, Vasey. — This 

 grass has been hitherto considered a mere variety of the preceding. Dr. Vasey, in 

 a recent Bulletin of the U. S. Department of Agriculture, says it may prove valu- 

 able for some qualities; it famishes a large quantity of foliage and matures early, 

 and for these qualities it may be desirable to cultivate it in a mixture of grasses for 

 pasture. It is found in western Kansas. It has a narrow, slim spike of flowers and 

 stiff culms. It does not have running root-stocks, but grows in clumps of variable 

 size. 



161. Westebn Wheat Gbass; Colobado Blue Joint; Colobado Blue Stem; 

 Wild Quack Gbass; Gumbo Gbass; Agropyrum glaucum, R. & S. — This has often 

 been considered a mere variety of the former, but it has stouter and more rigid 

 culms and leaves; the latter are often stiff. It is of a light bluish-green color, and 

 the spike is generally shorter, denser, and with larger spikelets. It is abundant, and 

 yields much and valuable hay, particularly in the western portion of the State. 



162. Wheat Gbass; Agropyrum caninum, Reich. — The culms are 1 to 3 feet 

 high (no running root-stock). The spike is more or less nodding — at least not 

 strict. The outer glumes are 5 to 7-nerved, acuminate or with long awns. The 

 flowering glume is 5-nerved near the tip, with mostly spreading awns. A variable 

 grass — perhaps to be found in Kansas, but not important. 



163. Wheat Gbass; Agropyrum violaceum, Beauv. — This species has no running 

 root-stocks. The slender culms are 1 to 2 feet high, the leaves short, mostly se- 

 taceous. The spike is dense, strict, and rigid, usually tinged with violet or purple. 

 The outer glumes are conspicuously o-nerved. The flowering glume is strongly 

 5-nerved, with an awn from half to fully as long. Reported in Kansas, but of no 

 agricultural value. 



Hordeum, L.— A small genus of annuals or biennials, with flowers in dense spikes. The spikelets 

 are 2 to 3 at each joint of the notched rachis, and have one flower with an awl-shaped rudiment of a 

 second. The central spikelet of the cluster is perfect and sessile, the lateral ones short-stalked and 

 imperfect or abortive. The slender and awned or pointed outer glumes are side by side, two to each 

 spikelet, or six to each joint. The flowering glume is shorter, herbaceous, oblong or lanceolate, rounded 

 on the back, not keeled, 5-nerved, acute or long-awned. The palet is shorter and 2-keeled. 



164. Squibbel-tail Gbass; Hordeum jubatum, L. — The culms are ^ to 2 feet 

 high. The glumes bear a capillary awn about 2 inches long, giving the spike a 

 bushy appearance. Of no agricultural value. 



