THE GRASSES OF MAINE. 59 



ing, from two to six inches long, diverging, nearly digitate. Spike- 

 lets ovoid ; lower glume wanting, the upper one equalling the 

 flower. A troublesome weed. Grows in waste and cultivated 

 grounds, and flowers from August to October. 



69. Panicum capillars, Linneus. 



Pan'-i-cmn cap-il-ld-re. 

 PLATE XXXVI. 



Common Names. Old-Witch Grass, Hair-Stalked Panic-Grass. 



Annual. Stems from one to two feet high, often branching at 

 the base and forming a tuft ; leaves flat, one-third of an inch wide 

 and hairy ; the sheaths clothed with rigid, spreading hairs. Panicle 

 in the form of a pyramid, expanding, loose ; glumes often purplish. 



Sandy soils and cultivated fields. Flowers in August and Sep- 

 tember. 



This is one of the most worthless of grasses, and is generally 

 rejected by cattle. Specimens from the Indian Territory w r ere 

 analyzed at the Department of Agriculture, and gave ash 5.59, fat 

 3.89, nitrogen-free extract 55. oO, crude fiber 28.24, albuminoids 

 6.98. 



70. Panicum virgayum, Linneus. 



Pan -i-cum vir-ga'-tum, 



PLATE XXXVII. 



Common Xames. Tall Panic-Grass, Tall Smooth Panic-Grass, 

 Switch Grass. 



Perennial. Stems from three to five feet high; leaves very long 

 and ilat, of a yellowish tinge when old ; ligule silky bearded ; whole 

 plant very smooth ; panicle diffuse, very large ; spikelets scattered, 

 usually purplish, the lower flowers staininate, with the flowering 

 glume and palea nearly equal. 



Moist, sandy soil, flowering in August. Dr. Vasey says this is a 

 good and prolific grass if cut when young ; when ripe it becomes 

 harsh and unpalatable. Texas specimens gave ash 7.21. fat 1.66, 

 nitrogen-free extract -49.39, crude fiber 36.78, albuminoids 4.93. 



