long and fine, so that the spikes appear hairy and smooth ; in
marshes ; Boston ; June. Big. This grass is widely spread
over North America.
E lymus. L. 3. 2. Lime Grass. Wild Rye.
Derived from the Greek to cover, from the use of one species
in coarse fabrics. Loudon.
The 4 species of this grass in this State, E. Canadensis, L .,
hyslrix, L ., villosus, Mubl., and Virginicus, L ., are not abundant,
and are of little utility. They usually grow on the sandy banks of
streams, or in sandy wood^. Most of them are fine-looking plants.
E. glaucifolius, W., is a tall grass, often 4 - 5 feet high, glaucous
color, and, with its long, recurved, and waving spikes, ever attracts
attention. I t is a variety of E. Canadensis, L ., according to
Torrey ; but this seems rather doubtful. At any rate, this- noble
planLought to be the species.
P anicum. L. 3. 2. Panic Grass.
Probably named from the Latin for bread, from the use of some
species. It is a pretty large genus. At least 16 species, agros-
toides, Muhl., anceps, Mx., capiUare, L ., clandestinum, L ., crus-
galli, L ., dichotomum, L ., depauperatum, Muhl., discolor, Muhl.,
geniculatum, Muhl., hispidum, Muhl., involution, T ., latifolium,
L ., macrocarpon, Torrey, nervosum, Muhl., nitidum, Lmk., vir-
gatum, L ., are found in this State. The species are found in
pastures and cultivated fields. They are of little consequence
for cattle. The culms are stiff and hard, often hairy, and cattle
do not appear to relish them after they have come to any size.
The Cock’s-foot Grass, introduced from Europe, and common in
gardens, and about yards, seems to follow man in his dispersions
over this country. Two new species were found at Deerfield by
Dr. Cooley, and named by Dr. Torrey. P. miliaceum, L.,
Millet, is sometimes found in gardens.
S etaria. P. de Beauv. Bottle Grass.
Named from the Latin for bristle, as the involucre is composed
of bristles ; taken from Panicum.
Four species of this grass, viridis, glauca, Italica, verticillata,
P. de B., are pretty common. One of them, often called Foxtail
Grass, from its long and large bristly spike, is common about
gardens and fields, and seems to follow man. /S. viridis, is found
in the vicinity of Boston, i
D i g i t a r i a . Walter. 3. 2. Crab Grass. Finger Grass.
Named from its finger-like form of spikes., The 2 species
were ranked with the Panic Grasses. They grow in dry and
sandy soils. The common one, D. sanguinalis, Scop., has a
reddish or purplish culm, rather prostrate, spreads rapidly over
the fields. The seeds are employed for food in Poland. The
other is called filiformis, Ell., from its thread-like culm and spikes.
E leusine. Gaertner. 3. 2. Wire Grass.
From Eleusis, a name of Ceres, < the goddess of grasses.
Loudon. Glumes 5-7-flowered, obtuse, equal; scales truncate.
E. Indica. Lmk. Spread widely over Europe, Asia, Africa,
and America ; common in cultivated grounds; not much used by
animals. Culm 1 - 2 feet high, compressed, declined; spikes
straight, erect, in pairs or fours ; July.
P oa. L. 3. 2. Meadow Grass.
From the Greek for herb ; one of the most important grasses
for the support of cattle. More than 30 species are native or
cultivated in England, and 24 are credited to the Northern States,
and 18 species to this State.
Spikelets oblong, linear, compressed, many-flowered, from
3 -2 0 ; glumes shorter than the florets ; inner chaff or paleae
sometimes woolly at the base ; scales smooth ; panicled, branched.
P. pratensis. L. Common Spear Grass. This well-known
and abundant meadow grass forms a great proportion of the turf
or greensward of pastures and meadows ; found in all situations,
except as an aquatic. To this should be added P. trivialis, L .,
and P. annua, L ., as another part of turf grasses. The latter is
small, low, forming a dense mat by walls, in yards, along the
streets and fields, springing up early in the spring, and flowering