652 



MISC. PUBLICATION 200, U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 



cm. long; spikelets 2 to 2.2 mm. long, 

 elliptic, pubescent. Autumnal phase 

 erect or leaning, sparingly branching 

 from all the nodes in late summer, the 



Figure 942. — Panicum dichotomum. Plant, X l A; two 

 views of spikelet, and floret, X 10. (Bissell 5576, 

 Conn.) 



branches erect, the leaves and pan- 

 icles not greatly reduced. % — 

 Moist open ground or woods, New- 

 foundland to Minnesota, south to 

 New Jersey and Indiana. 



33. Panicum dichotomum L. (Fig. 

 942.) Vernal phase often purplish; 

 culms slender, erect from a knotted 

 crown, 30 to 50 cm. tall, the lower 

 nodes sometimes with a few spreading 

 hairs; blades spreading, 4 to 8 mm. 

 wide, glabrous; panicle 4 to 9 cm. 

 long, the axis and spreading branches 

 flexuous; spikelets 2 mm. long, elliptic, 

 glabrous (very rarely pubescent); 

 second glume shorter than the fruit 

 at maturity. Autumnal phase much 

 branched at the middle nodes, the 

 lower part usually erect and devoid 

 of blades, giving the plants the 

 appearance of diminutive trees; 

 blades numerous, often involute. % 

 — Dry or sterile woods, New Bruns- 

 wick to Illinois, south to Florida and 

 eastern Texas. 



