Drawings of some characteristic parts of each of the 100 native 
grasses are included to aid in identification. The parts are not 
drawn to the same scale because enlargement of some parts is 
necessary to show detail. 
Below the drawings of each grass is an outline map of the 11 
Southern States, showing areas of major importance for the 
grass. 
Information about the grasses is based on observations of con- 
servationists and on literature of the area. A list of references is 
included. 
Scientific names and botanical authorities and some of the grass 
drawings are from Hitchcock’s Manual of the Grasses of the 
United States, U.S. Department of Agriculture Miscellaneous 
Publication No. 200. The common names are those used in the 
area. 
Principal Parts of a Grass Plant 
The vegetative parts of a grass plant are roots, stems, and 
leaves. The flowering (reproductive) part is the seedhead. Brief 
descriptions and drawings of these parts follow : 
Roots 
Grass roots are fibrous. Size of the root system depends on ge- 
netic and environmental factors and on management. In general, 
grasses that are capable of producing the greatest top growth are 
also capable of producing the greatest root growth. The ratio of 
ROOT DEVELOPMENT IN RELATION TO TOP REMOVAL 
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