GRASS FAMILY. 



379 



11. DAC'TYLIS, L. Orchakd Grass. 



[Greek, DaMylos, a finger ; in reference to the form or size of the spikes.] 



Spikelets several-flowered, compressed, crowded in dense one-sided panic- 

 ulate clusters. Glumes unequal, acuminate, ciliate-scabrous on the keel. 

 PalecB nearly equal, the 5 nerves of the lower one converging into an 

 awn-like point. Stamens 3. Grain lance-oblong, acute at each end. 

 Perennials wath stout culms, keeled leaves and pale-green clustered 

 spikelets. 



1. D. glomera'ta, L. Panicle distinctly branched, rather secund ; 

 spikelets 3 - 4-flowered, in dense unilateral clusters at the ends of the 

 branches. 



Clustered Dactylis. Orchard Grass. Cock's-foot Grass. 

 Fr. Dactyle pelotonne. Germ. Gemeines Knauel-gras. 



"Whole plant scabrous. i2ooi perennial. CwZm 2 - 3 or 4 feet high. Zectues 6-18 inches 

 long, lance-linear, keeled, glaucous ; sheaths striate ; ligule elongated, lacerate. Panicle 

 glaucous, contracted, racenaose at summit, rather one-sided ; branc/ies 3 -5, solitary, erect, 

 distant, subdivided towards the extremity. Spikelets about 4-flowered, compressed, 

 crowded in dense unilateral ovate or lance-oblong clusters at the ends of the branches. 

 Glumes unequal, — the lower one narrower, membranaceous, the upper one 3-nerved, 

 scabrous on the keel. Lower palea scabrous, ciliate on the keel, which is extended into a 

 cusp or short scabrous awn ; upper palea acuminate, bifid at apex, ciliate on the two green 

 keels, — the margins folded in so as to meet, embracing the stamens. Caryopsis lance- 

 oblong, sub-triquetrous, acute at each end. 



Fields and orchards : cultivated. Native of Europe. Fl. May. Fr. June. 



Obs. This grass has been introduced and cultivated to a considerable 

 extent. Our farmers, however, are not agreed upon its merits. Some 

 condemn it as unworthy of culture either for pasture or hay ; while 

 others set a high value on it for both. The fact seems to be, that it is 

 inferior to Timothy (Phleum pratense, L.) for hay ; yet it has the ad- 

 vantage of the latter in being mature at the same time with clover, — 

 with which both are usually cultivated. It is also less exhausting to 

 the soil. But its great value is as a pasture, when sown sufficiently 

 thick, which, however, it rarely is, — and hence is apt to form bunches 

 or tussocks. It is of quick growth, and is speedily reproduced after 

 being cut, or eaten down ; so much so that we may almost literally ap- 

 ply to it the lines of Virgil : — 



" Et quantum longis carpent armenta diebus 

 Exigua tantum gelidus ros nocte reponet." — Georg. 2. 20L 



" Cool dews restore beneath night's transient hours, 

 All that the herd each live-long day devours." — Sotheby. 



This grass also possesses the additional advantage of thriving well in 

 -the shade of trees, and answers a very good purpose in orchards, &c. 

 The seed is usually sown in autumn, immediately after Wheat or Rye 



