. California grasslands and range forage grasses. Grasses; Forage plants. Fig. 43. Nodding melicgrass (Melica stricta). Forage value and reproduction: The forage value of this grass is much the same as that of other melics, being palat- able up to maturity to all stock. It grows in scattered stands and hence does not produce a large amount of seed. 6. MANNAGRASS (GLYCEMA) Mannagrasses are mostly tall aquatic or marsh perennials with succulent culms, sometimes weak and readily falling; flat blades, and long panicles of several- flowered spikelets, the lemmas strongly parallel-nerved (appearing
. California grasslands and range forage grasses. Grasses; Forage plants. Fig. 43. Nodding melicgrass (Melica stricta). Forage value and reproduction: The forage value of this grass is much the same as that of other melics, being palat- able up to maturity to all stock. It grows in scattered stands and hence does not produce a large amount of seed. 6. MANNAGRASS (GLYCEMA) Mannagrasses are mostly tall aquatic or marsh perennials with succulent culms, sometimes weak and readily falling; flat blades, and long panicles of several- flowered spikelets, the lemmas strongly parallel-nerved (appearing ridged), ob- tuse in our species. Of the eight mannagrasses found in California, only two are widespread enough to be considered important for forage. (Fig. 44.) Although widely dis- tributed, they are of limited local abun- dance. Sheep avoid wet ground and seldom graze upon mannagrasses, but cattle consume them more closely than the rushes {Juncus spp.) and sedges {Carex spp.) with which mannagrasses usually grow. Key to Species Spikelets ovate, 3-4 mm long; panicle open, drooping elata Spikelets linear, cm long; panicle nar- row, erect 2. G. borealis 1. TALL MANNAGRASS {Glyceric, elata) grows in clumps, sometimes forming large tussocks, the leafy culms 2-3 ft (60-90 cm) tall; panicles rather large, open, the branches drooping, with nu- merous small spikelets. (Fig. 45.) Tall mannagrass is confined to moist or wet situations of medium elevation and is most abundant in the Sierra Ne- vada. (Fig. 44.) It is tolerant of shade and often forms an important part of the vegetation of marshy woodlands. The herbage of tall mannagrass is well liked by cattle, and is grazed by sheep late in the season when the site dries. The large crop of small seeds ripens in July and August. V i a 0 0 Puccinellia auoides A 1 O a 0 Glycerio borealis f a ' °4 0 L D Glycerlo elata a y o a\. Fig. 44. Distribution of alkaligrass (Puccinel- lia airoides) and mannagrasses (Glyceria spp.). [59].
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Keywords: ., boo, bookcentury1900, booksubjectforageplants, booksubjectgrasses
