A Handbook of Nebraska Grasses. SI 
on the range prefer the Blue Grama Grass. Its many 
basal leaves render it a rather valuable pasture grass in 
dry regions and it cures readily when cut for hay. 
Thruout the State. 
26. Bouteloua hirsuta. Black Grama. (Fig. 61.) 
This is one of the common tufted perennial grasses of 
our western Sand Hills. When abundant it forms excel- 
lent pasturage, its dense tufts and fine leaves being much 
relished by stock. Thruout the State, but most abundant 
westward. 
27. Bouteloua oligostachya, Blue Grama. (Fig. 61.) 
This is the commonest and most valuable species of 
Grama Grass on the Great Plains. It is a slender, erect, 
tufted perennial with strong rootstocks and numerous 
basal leaves. No other grass withstands the tramping of 
stock as does this. and it is thus unsurpassed for grazing 
purposes. The leaves are short and crowded at the base 
of the short stem producing dense cushion-like masses 
pressed close to the ground. It is often improperly called 
Buffalo grass. It is very drouth-resistant and very com- 
mon thrnout the State. 
BRACHYELYTRUM. 
28. Brachyelytrum erectum. Bearded Short Husk. (Fig. 36.) 
A slender perennial with unbranched stems in open 
wooded regions. 
BROMUS. 
29. Bromus brizaeformis. (Fig. 94.) 
A slender, erect, tufted annual with nodding panicles 
of very large spikelets, introduced from Europe. 
30. Bromus ciliatus. Swamp Chess. (Fig. 93.) 
On good soils in wooded parts or shady pastures, it 
should make a vigorous early growth. Common. thruout 
the State. 
31. Bromus erectus. (Fig. 93.) 
Introduced from Europe. Valley County. 
32. Bromus hordeaceus. Soft Chess. (Fig. 96.) 
An erect or ascending annual or biennial found in fields 
and waste places. 
33. Bromus inermis. Awnless Brome Grass. (Fig. 93.) 
This is an erect vigorous, hardy perennial with strong 
creeping rootstocks enabling it to form a thick and firm 
sod. It is a native of Europe introduced and widely cul- 
