Santa Cruz County History
HISTORY OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.- E. S. Harrison, Pacific Press Publ. Co., San Francisco, 1891
CHAPTER X.
LIST AND NOTES OF NATIVE AND
OTHER GRASSES FOUND GROWING WILD
IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY.
BY C. L. ANDERSON.
WITH rains and sunshine come green pastures. The larger part of this herbage that gladdens the heart and pleases the eye is composed of grasses. And what is a grass?
Botanists tell us that it is a plant with a long, simple, narrow leaf, having many fine veins or lines running parallel with a central prominent vein or midrib, and a long sheath divided to the base which seems to clasp the stem, or through which the stem seems to pass, the stem being hollow, with but few exceptions, and closed at the joints or nodes.
Some grasses are annuals, such as wheat, rye, oats, and barley. Others are perennial, such as blue grass, red top, timothy, orchard, mesquit, and Bermuda grasses. They vary in size from one or two inches high to the tall bamboo, ten, twenty, and even one hundred feet high.
One-sixth of the whole vegetable kingdom of flowering plants belong to the grass family.
How much of our comfort and material prosperity depend on the grasses! Bread, meat, sugar, clothing, are but grasses direct or transmuted. What a feeling of security and ease expressed by the poet : " I shall not want;" "to lie down in green pastures;" " beside the still waters"! And when we look at the ripening grain-fields, the green hills, the bunches of grass near the mountain tops, and the meadow lands along our streams, may we not meditate as David did nearly three thousand years ago, " I shall not want"?
The following list and notes show that this region is well supplied with native and introduced grasses, and that it is well adapted for their successful cultivation.
It is a matter of extreme importance to our county (as well as other counties in California), the cultivation of native and introduced grasses, more particularly of the perennial kinds, such as have roots to withstand our long dry seasons. It has been said by superficial observers that most of the grasses of California are annuals. This may be true of those that have been introduced in various ways, but not true of the native grasses—they are nearly all perennials, having roots that remain, although the stalks, in many become dry and dead.
With water, climate, and soils of the best quality, I see thousands of acres where a suitable combination of such grasses as No. 26 and No. 46 would succeed admirably; and yet these acres yield scarcely enough to pay taxes, because the owners depend on a few almost worthless annuals and weeds for pasturage. In fact, the worthless often survive and run out the useful.
We have parks, basins, slopes, table-lands, forests, valleys, lakes, marshes, sea beaches, lagoons, and all varieties imaginable, where one kind or another, or a combination of kinds, of grasses would grow in profusion, and where cattle might revel in perennial pastures.
There are many other plants beside true grasses that serve well for pasturage. The clovers, of which there are twelve or more, form an important part. There are many other species of leguminous plants, such as the burr clover, alfalfa, etc., that serve well for forage. The "alfilaria" (of the geranium family) serves as an excellent food on account of its succulence, and it grows everywhere abundantly. There are also sedges and rushes that cattle often eat that supplement the grasses. But I have placed none of these in this list, confining myself to the Gramineae, or true grasses.
In compiling this list I have omitted synonyms with a few exceptions, and authors of species entirely. When a grass has two names either one in frequent use among botanists, the synonym follows this mark .
I wish to acknowledge my obligations for kindly aid to Dr. Vasey, botanist of the Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. He and F. L. Scribner, of the same department, are acknowledged standard authorities on grasses, and I have in the main followed their determinations.
AGROSTIS, LINN.
Red top, of Ohio and Indiana.
Bent grass. The old English name.
Hurd's grass, of Pennsylvania and Southern States. Hair grass.
Fine top.
An important and abundant genus. While the annual species are not of much value, except when dried and remaining on the fields during our dry season, those with perennial roots contribute largely to the pastures during winter and spring.
1. A. vulgaris—This is the red top, Bent, or Hurd's grass, and wherever introduced in this country, especially on bottom lands, makes excellent pasture. Perennial.
2. A. exarata—A large perennial. In wet and sandy places. Common.
3. A. aequivalvis—In brush lands, sparingly. Perennial.
4. A. arenaria—Sandy cliffs near the beach. Perennial.
5. A. grandis—In ditches and springy places. Perennial.
6. A. verticillata—Sandy creek bottoms. Perennial.
7. A. microphylla—Exceedingly variable. Three inches to two feet high; growing in moist places. Annual.
8. A. multiculmis—In brushy places. Generally protected by brushy shrubs. Perennial.
AIRA, LINN = DESCHAMPSIA, BEAM,.
Hair grass.
A genus of widely-diffused grasses, of which we have three or four species—all perennials.
9. A. caespitosa—Tufted hair grass. Growing in large bunches in moist creek bottoms. Cattle are not fond of it.
10. A. holciformis—A tall, coarse grass; two to five feet high. In moist meadows and along the cliffs of the seashore.
11. A. elongata—A very slender grass; one to three feet high.
12. A. danthonioides—In moist localities. Very slender. From four inches to two feet high.
ALOPECURIS, LINN.
Water fox-tail.
But one species has been found in this locality.
13. A. Californicus—In wet meadows. One of the earliest grasses to flower. Growing in shallow ponds even before the water entirely disappears. Of some value for early green feed in our pastures. Perennial.
ASPRELLA, WILLD = GYMNOSTICHUM, SCHR.
Bottle-brush grass.
Hedge-hog grass.
14. A. Californica—Tall and coarse; four to six feet high. Growing in moist, rocky woodlands and along streams. Hardly different from Lyme grass (Elymus). Perennial.
AVENA, LINN.
Wild Oats.
15. A. fatua—Doubtless introduced from Europe in the early settlement of this coast. An annual grass; valuable for pasture and hay, growing wild everywhere.
BRIZA, LINN.
Quaking grass.
Rattlenake grass.
16. B. media—Sparingly introduced, said the botanists of California ten years ago. Now it covers much of our waste land, and affords considerable pasture. It is a highly ornamental perennial grass.
BROMUS, LINN.
Brome grass.
Chess.
Cheat.
There are many Brome grasses, both annual and perennial, native and introduced. Some we could do without, as they become troublesome in the fields; but for pasture they serve a good purpose. Schrader's Brome (B. unioloides) is highly recommended for cultivation. It has not been introduced extensively yet, but has succeeded in France, Australia, and our Southern States. It is perennial, and "not injured by overflow nor affected by ordinary drought."
17. B. maximus—This Brome has become too abundant. It has driven out the wild oat, and can hardly be called the "survival of the fittest." But the grain is richer by far than the oat, and doubtless stock thrive well on this grass, either green or dry, when they can be induced to eat it. The rough beards and seed coverings make it objectionable. Annual.
18. B. ciliatus—Abundant in brush lands, forming loose tufts of rather coarse grass, two to four feet high. Good forage. Perennial and native.
19. B. Hookerianus—Apparently native and perennial. Somewhat abundant.
20. B. mollis—Soft Brome. Roadsides, along the coast, and borders of fields. Annual and introduced.
21. B. secalinus—The famous "cheat" so often accused of being changed from wheat. Annual.
22. B. erectus—Grows along the sea cliff. Is perennial and apparently native.
23. B. Kalmii—An annual introduced into fields. Often called " wild chess."
24. B. segetum—Found in woodlands with No. 18. Perennial, native.
CYNODON, PERS.
Bermuda grass.
Dog's-tooth grass.
25. C. dactylon—Introduced from Southern Europe, and now naturalized all over the coast. It will live in spite of neglect, and pays well when kindly treated. Hogs, poultry, and cattle are fond of it. When allowed to spread, it takes the place of worthless weeds. As the seed does not mature in this climate, it is best to propagate it by cuttings, which can be done readily.
DACTYLIS, LINN.
Orchard grass.
Cock's-foot.
26. D. glomerata—An excellent grass that should be cultivated more extensively. It is perennial and would succeed well in our oak openings and timber lands. It is hardy, nutritious, and well adapted to either heavy rich lands, like the Pajaro Valley, or the loose, sandy soils of our mountains where not too dry.
DANTHONIA, DC.
Wild oat grass.
White top.
Old fog.
Mountain oat grass.
27. D. Californica—A bunch grass. Rich, hardy, perennial; native. Furnishing excellent pasture on plains or hillsides. Deserves to be more generally distributed.
DEYEUXIA. CLARION =CALAMAGROSTIS, ADANSON.
Reed bent grass.
Blue joint.
28. D. Aleutica—A tall, robust grass growing in woods. Perennial.
DISTICHLIS, RAF. = BRIZOPYRUM, LINK.
Spike grass.
Alkaline grass.
Salt grass.
29. D. maritima (D. spiata)—Grows in salt or alkaline soil. Affords an inferior pasturage. Perennial.
ELYMUS, LINN.
Lyme grass.
Sea Lyme.
30. E. condensatus—"Giant rye grass." One of our tallest native grasses, often reaching a height of twelve feet or more. About springy places. Perennial.
31. E. triticoides—This is found abundant in many localities, looking like wild wheat. It is often mistaken for "couch grass" ( Triticum repens).
FESTUCA, LINN.
Fescue grass.
A large and important genus, of which we have a good representation.
32. F. myurus—An introduced annual, six inches to two feet high, growing everywhere. Soft, hair-like. Soon dying and falling flat.
33. F. microstachys—Similar to the preceding. Annual. Introduced, probably.
34. F. tenella— Dry hills. Widespread; serving as an upland pasture. Annual.
35. F. occidentalis (F. pauciflora)—Growing in tufts. Perennial.
36. F. Californica—Similar to above.
37. F. rubra—A handsome grass growing in brush lands, with reddish or purplish spikelets. Perennial.
38. F. ovina—The well-known "Sheep's Fescue." A perennial, introduced, and found in borders of fields.
GASTRIDIUM, BEAUV.
Nit grass.
Shining grass.
39. G. australe—Introduced from Europe, and widespread. Appearing with its shining heads late in the season in grain-fields.
HIEROCHLOA, GMELIN. Holy grass.
Vanilla grass.
Seneca grass.
40. H. macrophylla—Growing in large tufts in the redwoods; easily recognized by its vanilla fragrance. Perennial.
HOLCUS, LINN.
Velvet grass.
Meadow soft grass.
Mesquite grass.
41. H lanatus—A hardy perennial grass largely introduced of late years for hay and pasture. It grows rapidly, and stands drought very well, but it is rather an inferior grass, growing however, in places where better grasses would fail.
HORDCUM, LINN.
Wild barley.
Squirrel-tail grass.
Fox-tail.
The three species, now entirely too common, are by no means valuable, as the name would indicate. When green, before the heads form, they make good pasture, but afterwards the long beards are harmful—in fact, pests.
42. H. murinum—"Wall bent grass." Annual.
43. H. nodosum (H. pratense)—Perennial. Less objectionable than the above.
44. H maritimum—Annual. Spreading everywhere on low, moist grounds near the sea. [The H. jubatum, "squirrel tail," has not made its appearance as yet, but doubtless it will come.]
KCELERIA, PERS.
45. K. cristata, var. longifolia—A perennial. On hillsides and fields. Three to four feet high. A good pasture grass.
LOLIUM, LINN.
Darnel.
Rye or ray grass.
46. L. perenne, and the var. Italicum, have long been cultivated in this country, both for pasture and lawns. For both these purposes it has no superior. Mixed with orchard grass (dactylis) in some localities, for a continuous pasture, they have succeeded admirably. In moist level lands they form tufts, or even a sod, which furnishes feed during the whole year.
47. L. temulentum—"Poison darnel." Sparingly introduced. The grain is said to be poisonous to man and horse, while hogs, poultry, and many other animals fatten on it. Annual.
MELICA, LINN.
Melic grass.
48. M. Californica—Growing in dry brush land.
49. M. Harfordii - These are credited to this locality, but I have not found them.
50. M. bromoides - same as #49.
51. M bulbosa - same as #49.
52. M. imperfecta—Found in woods and brush lands everywhere, but not abundant.
PANICUM, LINN.
Crab grass.
Finger grass.
Barnyard grass.
Old witch grass.
53. P. capillare - All introduced annuals of little value
54. P. dichotomum - same as #53. .
55. P. crus-galli—barnyard grass, same as #53.
PASPALUM, LINN.
Joint grass.
56. P. distichum—Introduced, and wide-spreading in sandy bottoms. Has a perennial creeping root stock, jointed. Said to be useful for seeding pond holes that dry up, yielding a pasture for cows and sheep in great abundance.
PHALARIS, LINN.
Canary grass.
California Timothy.
57. P. canariensis—Introduced.
58. P. intermedia—Seems to be native.
59. P. Lemmoni (P. augusta)—Native. In wet places.
All annuals of some value.
PHRAGMITES, TRIN.
Reed grass.
60. P. communis—A large, coarse grass; one of the largest in the United States, being from five to fifteen feet high. Found in wet places; looking like broom corn in the distance. Perennial.
POA, LINN.
Blue grass.
June grass.
Spear grass.
Meadow grass.
61. P. annua—Annual blue grass. Starts with the first rains, and dies early. Introduced. It is found nearly all over the world, closely about settlements, but is said to be a native of Arizona and New Mexico.
62. P. tenuifolia (Atropis tenuifolia)—Slender-leaved blue grass. This is one of the bunch grasses; an abundant, quite variable, and perennial native grass growing on summits, flats, and sandy hillsides where other grasses are seldom found. I see no reason why the bunches might not be increased (by transplanting in the winter) so as to fairly cover the ground, in which case our sand hills could be utilized and become, valuable pasture lands.
63. P. Californica (Atropis Californica, Sclerochloa Californica)—Often mistaken for P. tenuifolia, but the flowers are dioecious, and the plant differs in other respects. Perennial.
64. P. Howellii—A slender grass found in moist brush lands, and may be only the rough meadow grass (P. trivialis) of Eastern States growing wild. Perennial.
65. P. unilateralis—A species lately described by Dr. Vasey. A hardy bunch grass found on cliffs near the coast. Perennial. Having for root a very tough large bunch of fibers.
66. P. Orcuttiana—A recently-discovered species found here as well as in Southern California. Perennial.
67. P. Douglasii—Growing on beaches of shifting salt sands, helping to hold the sand. Well adapted for pasture in such places. Perennial. Six to twelve inches high, with large heads like canary grass.
68. P. pratensis—Kentucky blue grass. Introduced and growing well in many places. Perennial.
POLYPOGON, DESF.
Beard grass.
69. P. littoralis—Sandy places near streams. Has a perennial root.
70. P. Monspeliensis—Abundant in moist places and along streams. Annual.
STIPA, LINN.
Feather grass.
71. S. setigera—A bunch grass on warm, dry fields and hillsides. Perennial.
72. S. Andersonii—Woods and brush lands. Larger branches and more slender grass than the above. Perennial.
SORGHUM, PERS.
Evergreen millet.
73. S. Hodefiense—Escaped from cultivation. Of large and rapid growth. Hills and dry lands. Hogs eat the roots, and in time will destroy it. Otherwise hard to eradicate.
TRISETUM, PERS.
Downy oat grass.
74. T. canescens—A very slender annual grass, furnishing considerable pasturage.
TRITICUM, LINN = AGROPYRUM, BEAUV.
Couch grass.
Wild wheat.
Dog grass.
75. T. repens—Sparingly introduced. Perennial, and spreading by root stalks, which have short joints and roots tenaciously at every joint, forming a dense sod.
76. T. Polonicum—Polish wheat, wild goose wheat, mountain rye. A very coarse kind of wheat. Becomes wild, and may prove useful in some localities for forage.
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler