AN'DROPO'GON (called so from the barbed male flowers, from the Gk. (iviip, (timer, man + and iav, pogon, beard ) . A cosmopolitan genus of grasses, inclinling about 150 species, the rela tive merits of which vary widely. Some are high ly prized for hay and pasturage, as Andropogon halcpcnse, or Johnson grass, which has been un der cultivation in the United States since about 1830. It yields large quantities of hay, and in the Southern States may be cut three or four times a year. On account of its habit of growth —it spreads by its rhizomes—when once estab lished it is difficult of eradication. It is some what sensitive to cold, and will not persist as a perennial except in warm regions. A number of species of Andropogon are well known in the semi-arid region of the United States under the name of blue-stem grasses, and in these regions are of value. The principal of these species are: Andropogon nutans, Andropogon provincial is, and Andropogon scoparius. Other species are communion in the eastern and southern parts of the United States as broom sedge; of these Andro pogon virginicus is one of the most widely dis tributed. If cut early, the broom sedges make
good hay; but if left too long, the plant becomes so woody as to be refused by all stock. An dropogon squarrosus, a native of India, is famous for the fragrance of its roots, which are employed in making fans, and yield the perfume known as The roots are sometimes sold for their stimulant properties in drug stores under the name of Radix anatheri. In some systems of classification the sorghums are grouped under this genus. The specific name Andropogon sorghum and its variety, sativus, comprise under these classifications the saccha rine and non-saccharine forms. Among the lat ter are durra, Mill° maize, Jerusalem corn. broom corn, etc., some of which are valuable for forage in dry countries. Eight or ten species are considered of economic importance in Aus tralia. Two tropical species are widely known, the lemon grass (Andropogon schirnanthus) and Andropogon nardus, sources of lemon oil and citronella oil, both of which are largely used in making perfumery.