MANUAL OF THE GRASSES OF THE WEST INDIES 3 
for green feed on the larger estates. This grass is often known as 
elephant grass. It is a robust perennial growing to the height of 
2 to 4m. 
Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum; P. typhoideum). This robust 
annual is grown extensively by the natives of tropical Africa, and is 
used rather sparingly in the southern United States. It is occasion- 
ally grown in the West Indies. 
Paspalum (Paspalum dilatatum). This grass comes from Argen- 
tina. It is a perennial, 30 to 100 cm tall (1 to 3 feet), growing in 
moderately dry to moist soil. It was introduced several years ago 
into the southern United States, where it is used for pasture and hay. 
It seems well adapted to conditions in the West Indies and its culture 
will probably increase there. It can be propagated by seed or by 
division of the tufts. In the United States this grass is called Dallis 
grass (after Mr. Dallis who was active in its introduction). Other 
common names are paspalum grass, water-grass, and water paspalum. 
Paspalum has proved valuable in Australia, South Africa, and 
especially in the Hawaiian Islands. 
Vasey grass (Paspalum urvillei; P. vaseyanum). An erect perennial 
related to the preceding species but with a longer panicle. It has 
been grown occasionally in the West Indies on moderately dry 
ground and can be used for pasture. Vasey grass was mtroduced 
some years ago from Argentina, and is now commonly escaped into 
fields and waste places in the southern United States. 
Bahia grass (Paspalum notatum). A low perennial with knotty 
rhizomes that soon form a firm sod. Itis a native of Brazil and other 
parts of tropical America, where it is a constituent of native pasture 
land. It is now being cultivated for pasture in Central America 
and the subtropical United States. It gives much promise in the 
West Indies, especially in Cuba. 
Carpet grass (Aronopus compressus). This is a common grass in 
open land at low altitudes throughout tropical America. In the 
United States it extends along the Coastal Plain from North Carolina 
to Texas. Carpet grass is one of the chief constituents of native 
pasture land in moist or mucky soil throughout the West Indies. 
It is propagated by division of the roots. It is a very satisfactory 
lawngrass in the Tropics where there is sufficient moisture. 
Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon). ‘This well-known species is 
widespread throughout the warm regions of the earth. It thrives 
on drier soil than is suitable for carpet grass. Bermuda grass may 
become a troublesome weed in cultivated soil because of its vigorous 
rhizomes and stolons, but as a pasture grass in open moderately dry 
soil it is without a competitor. It is also commonly used for lawns. 
In the English islands it is usually called Bahama grass. In the 
Spanish islands it is called grama, hierba fina, hierba del prado, pata 
de gallina, and several other names. A common French name is 
chiendent, and throughout the world it has a great variety of names. 
Rhodes erass (Chloris gayana). This African grass was introduced 
into the United States several years ago and proved of value for 
hay and pasture in the irrigated sections of the Southwest. It is 
also used on the ranches of Hawaii. Rhodes grass has been tried 
in the West Indies and gives promise in drier regions. 
Molasses grass (Melinis minutiflora). This African grass was 
early introduced into Brazil and has been used there extensively as 
