SOME COLORADO GRASSES. 
105 
SETARIA ITALICA (Kunth.). 
(Millet; Bengal Grass.) 
Calms compressed, bent at the lower nodes; spikes 2 
to 6' long, compound, interrupted at base, purplish, nod¬ 
ding ; bristles two or three in a cluster. 
This escaped from cultivation. Somewhat common 
in this region. 
LEERSIA ORYZOIDES (Swartz). 
This species grows in very Wet soils only; it has 
retroversely scabrous stems; leaves lanceolate, very rough 
on the margins : panicle branching, very diffuse, sheathed 
at base. 
Not of much value, although sometimes cut for hay. 
DISTICHLIS MARITIMA (Raf.). 
(Salt Grass; Alkaline Grass.) 
Culms smooth, slender, leafy, from running root¬ 
stocks; 6 to 12 inches high; leaves flat, narrow, villous 
on the upper surface; ligule a fringe of hairs; panicle 
oblong, spicate; spikelets dioecious, compressed, about ten- 
flowered ; outer glumes narrow, keeled, smooth ; flowering 
glumes larger, obscurely nerved, smooth. 
This grass forms a dense, close sod, on alkaline soils 
on the plains. It never attains a height sufficient to 
justify cutting it for hay, and stock never pasture it from 
choice. 
ANALYSIS. 
Moisture_ 7.95 
Ash_ 7.98 
Fat_ 2.72 
Albuminoid nitrogen_ 7.56 
Crude fiber_22.80 
Nitrogen-free extract_58.94 
Total_100.00 
