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



tumnal culms erect, bearing at the middle nodes a few appressed 

 fascicles of branches. 91 — Prairies and drv open woods, Alabama 

 (Mobile) to Texas and Arkansas (fig. 1360). 



51. Panicum praecocius Hitchc. and Chase. (Fig. 1361.) Vernal 

 culms 15 to 25 cm tall, at first erect and simple, soon branching and 

 geniculate, becoming 30 to 45 cm long, papillose-pilose with weak 



Figure 1359.— Panicum thurowii. Two 

 views of spikelet, and floret, X 10. 

 (Type.) 



Figure 1360.— Distribution of 

 Panicum thurowii. 



spreading hairs 3 to 4 mm long ; sheaths pilose ; ligule 3 to 4 mm long ; 

 blades 5 to 9 cm long, 4 to 6 mm wide, long-pilose on both surfaces, 

 the hairs on the upper surface 4 to 5 mm long, erect ; panicle 4 to 6 cm 

 long, the axis pilose; spikelets 1.8 to 1.9 mm long, pilose. Autumnal 

 culms in close bunches, 10 to 20 cm tall, the branches appressed, the 

 scarcely reduced blades erect. % — Dry prairies and clearings, 



Figure 1362.— Distribution of 

 Panicum praecocius. 



Figure 1361. — Panicum praecocius. Two 

 views of spikelet, and floret, X 10. 

 (Type.) 



Michigan to Minnesota, south to Missouri and eastern Texas (fig. 

 1362). 



52. Panicum subvillosum Ashe. (Fig. 1363.) Vernal culms leafy 

 below, 10 to 45 cm tall, ascending or spreading, pilose, the nodes 

 short-bearded; sheaths sparsely pilose with ascending hairs; ligule 

 3 mm long; blades 4 to 6 cm long, 4 to 6 mm wide, both surfaces 



Figure 1363.— Panicum subvillosum. 

 Two views of spikelet, and floret, 

 X 10. (Type.) 



Figure 1364.— Distribution of 



Panicum subvillosum. 



pilose, the hairs on the upper surface 3 to 5 mm long; panicle long- 

 exserted, 3 to 5 cm long; spikelets 1.8 to 1.9 mm long. Autumnal 

 culms widely spreading or prostrate, sparingly branching from the 

 lower nodes, the leaves and panicles not greatly reduced. % — Dry 

 woods and sandy ground, Nova Scotia to Minnesota, south to New 

 York, Indiana, and Missouri (fig. 1364). 



