433 
29. Brachyelytrum Aristatum. Beauvois. 
Syn. —Muhlenbergia erecta, Sclireb. M. aristata, Pers. M. brachye¬ 
lytrum, Trin. Dilepyrum aristosum, Michx. 
Culm simple; with rather downy sheaths ; broad, flat, lanceolate, 
pointed leaves, and large spikelets ; panicle contracted, simple. Rocky 
woods. Perennial; flowers in June and July. Culms 1 to 3 feet high. 
Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, and about Lake Superior. 
GENUS 12. CALAMAGROSTIS. Adanson. 
[From Jcalamos, a reed, and agrostis, a genua of grasses.] 
Spikelets one-flowered, pedicellate, with an abortive pedicel or rudi- 
» 
mentary flower ; panicle open, contracted, or spiked ; glumes keeled, 
nearly equal or exceeding the paleae, which are surrounded at the base 
by a copious tuft of white bristly hairs ; the lower palea bearing a slender 
awn on the back, or rarely awnless; upper mostly shorter; stamens 
three. 
30. Calamagrostis Canadensis. Beauvois. 
Syn.— C. Mexicana, Nutt. C. Purshii, Kuntli. C. confinis, Spreng. 
Arundo Canadensis, Michx. A. confinis, Willd. A. cinnoides, Muhl. 
A. agrostoides, Ph. Blue joint. 
Panicle oblong, loose, (often purplish); lower palea nearly as long as 
the lanceolate acute glumes, not exceeding the very fine hairs, bearing 
an extremely delicate awn below the middle scarcely equaling or exceed¬ 
ing the hairs ; rudimentary pedicel minute. Perennial; flowers in July, 
Culms 3 to 5 feet high. Wet grounds. 
Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio, and about Lake Su¬ 
perior, where it is considered a very valuable grass ; it is mowed in Au¬ 
gust, and suffered to remain until winter, when it can be more readily 
hauled away. It is said to be greedily eaten by cattle, and to be as 
.nourishing as herd’s-grass, (timothy). Its growth is so rank that even 
a 6mall meadow affords a great store of hay.* This grass has also at¬ 
tracted some attention in Minnesota. 
* W. D. Whitney —Geological Report, p. 379. 
28 
