CHAPTER VI.

Series I--Panicaceae.

TRIBE I--PANICEAE.

This is a fairly large and important tribe flourishing mostly in the

warm regions and the tropics. It is very well represented in South India

and fifteen genera are met with.

The inflorescence varies very much within this tribe and consists of

spikes, racemes and panicles. The spikelets are usually four-glumed and

contain one terminal perfect flower and a staminate or neutral flower

below. But in the genus Isachne both the flowers are perfect. In some

grasses the spikelets contain only staminate or pistillate flowers. In

Coix and Polytoca the plant bears both male and female spikelets in the

same inflorescence, but in Zea on the same plant they occur as distinct

inflorescences. The littoral grass Spinifex is dioecious.

The first glume of the spikelet is the smallest. In Panicum it is nearly

two-thirds or less than the third glume. It is very small in Digitaria

and entirely suppressed in Paspalum. In Eriochloa it is reduced to a

minute ridge lying just close to the swollen ring-like joint of the

rachilla. The second and the third glumes are more or less equal and

similar in texture. The fourth glume becomes firm and rigid along with

its palea and usually encloses the grain.

The pedicel is jointed in some genera and in others it is continuous

with the spikelet and not jointed. When mature the spikelets fall away

either by themselves, singly with their pedicels or in groups with

portions of rachis, according to the position of the joint. Bristles

(branchlets) are often found on the pedicels. In Setaria a few are borne

by the pedicels. The bristles form a regular involucre at the base of a

group of spikelets in Pennisetum, and in Cenchrus these become united at

the base into a mass forming a kind of burr around the spikelets.

KEY TO THE GENERA.

A. Spikelets articulate on their pedicels.

B. Spikelets without involucels.

C. Spikelets dorsally flattened, awnless.

Inflorescence racemed; glumes

three; nerves of second glume

five or less, side nerves curved 1. Paspalum.

Inflorescence digitate; glumes

three with a minute glume;

nerves of second glume five to

seven, straight and prominent 2. Digitaria.

Inflorescence panicled; glumes

three with a thickening at the

base of the spikelet 3. Eriochloa.

Inflorescence racemed or paniculate;

glumes four, first two glumes

unequal 4. Panicum.

Inflorescence panicled, branches of

panicle produced beyond the

uppermost spikelet; glumes four,

the first being minute and hyaline 5. Chamaeraphis.

Spikelets unisexual and dioecious 6. Spinifex.

CC. Spikelets awned.

Glumes four, second glume broadly

fimbriate with hairs; palea of

the third glume short and deeply

cleft, fourth glume awned 7. Axonopus.

BB. Spikelets involucellate 8. Setaria.

AA. Spikelets not jointed but continuous.

Spikelets in involucelled deciduous

fascicles.

Involucre of bristles free 9. Pennisetum.

Involucre of bristles united 10. Cenchrus.

1. Paspalum, _L._

These are annuals or perennials. The spikelets are plano-convex,

orbicular to oblong, obtuse, secund, 2-ranked on the flattened or

triquetrous rachis of the spike-like branches of a raceme, one-flowered

and falling off entire from the very short or obscure pedicels. There

are three glumes, all more or less equal and similar. The first and the

second glumes are membranous, alike and as long as the third, the second

glume is usually epaleate and occasionally with a minute palea. The

third glume is chartaceous to sub-coriaceous and paleate. Lodicules are

two and small. Stamens are three. The styles are slender and distinct

with plumose stigmas exserted at the top of the spikelet. Grain is

tightly enclosed in the third glume and its palea.

[Illustration: Fig. 69.--Paspalum scrobiculatum.]

=Paspalum scrobiculatum, _L._=

This is an annual grass, with stems tufted on very short rhizomes, erect

or very shortly bent at base, glabrous, bifariously leafy and varying in

height from 1 to 3 feet or more.

_Leaf-sheaths_ are compressed, glabrous, loose, keeled, mouth hairy or

not. The _ligule_ is a short thin membrane. The _nodes_ are glabrous.

The _leaf-blade_ is linear-lanceolate, finely acuminate, keeled with a

distinct midrib, and with very minutely serrulate margins, 6 to 18

inches by 1/12 to 1/3 inch.

The _inflorescence_ consists of 2 to 5 sessile alternate spikes, usually

distant and spreading and varying in length from 1 to 8 inches; the

rachis is flattened and winged.

The _spikelets_ are either orbicular or ovate-oblong, as broad as the

rachis, glabrous, closely imbricating in two rows (rarely in three or

four rows), sessile or rarely geminate on a common pedicel.

There are three glumes. The _first glume_ is concave, 3- to 5-nerved

(rarely 3- to 7-nerved). The _second glume_ is flat, 5-nerved, with two

strong sub-marginal nerves, sometimes with shallow transverse pits along

the margins. The _third glume_ is thickly coriaceous, brownish, shining,

minutely striolate, margins roundly incurved throughout its length,

paleate; the _palea_ is similar to the glume in structure and colour,

margins strongly inflexed and with two broad membranous auricles almost

overlapping just below the middle. There are three _stamens_. The

_stigmas_ are white both when young and while fading. The style branches

are diverging widely and then straight. There are two oblong cuneate

fleshy _lodicules_.

[Illustration: Fig. 70.--Paspalum scrobiculatum.

1 and 2. Front and back view of a portion of spike; 3, 4 and 5.

spikelets; 6, 7 and 8. the first, second, and the third glume,

respectively; 9. palea of the third glume; 10. the ovary, stamens and

the lodicules.]

This grass flourishes all over the Presidency in moist places, such as,

bunds of wet lands, edges of ponds and lakes and in marshy land. There

are two forms of this grass, one with round and another with ovate

oblong spikelets. They also vary in the size of the spikelets--some

forms have small spikelets and others large. Sometimes the spikelets

show variation in the number of glumes.

This grass is also cultivated for its grain. In cultivated forms the

spikelets are larger and the whole plant grows bigger. It is grown both

in wet and dry land.

_Distribution._--Throughout India (wild and also cultivated).

2. Digitaria, _Rich._

Annuals or perennials. The spikelets are lanceolate, 2- to 3-nate, in

digitate or racemose spikes, jointed on the pedicels but not thickened

at the base, 1-flowered. There are usually four dissimilar glumes in the

spikelet. The first glume is hyaline very minute, sometimes absent in

the same species. The second glume is membranous, 1- to 5-nerved or

nerveless. The third glume is membranous, almost equal to the fourth,

usually 7- to 9-nerved, the nerves being straight, close, parallel and

prominent, with a minute palea or without a palea. The fourth glume is

chartaceous or sub-chartaceous, usually 3-nerved and paleate; palea is

equal to and similar to the fourth glume, 2-nerved. Lodicules are two,

small, broadly cuneate. Stamens are three. Styles are distinct with

plumose stigmas exserted laterally near the apex of the spikelet. Grain

is enclosed in the fourth glume and its palea.

KEY TO THE SPECIES.

Spikelets 1/10 inch or more.

Spikes usually few, spikelets

bearded 1. D. sanguinalis. Var. ciliaris.

Spikelets not bearded 2. Do. Var. extensum.

Spikes usually many; spikelets

spreading 3. Do. Var. Griffithii.

Spikelets less than 1/10 inch.

Spikes narrowly winged;

spikelets subsilky with

slender (not clavellate)

hairs 4. D. longiflora.

[Illustration: Fig. 71.--Digitaria sanguinalis, _Var. ciliaris_.]

=Digitaria sanguinalis, _Scop._=

_Var. ciliaris._

This is an annual grass either with erect tall stems or long prostrate

stems, varying in length from 1 to 3 feet or more.

The _leaf-sheath_ is herbaceous, loose and glabrous. The _ligule_ is a

distinct membrane. The _nodes_ are glabrous.

The _leaf-blade_ is linear-lanceolate or linear, flat, glabrous or very

sparsely hairy, varying in length from 2 to 5 or 6 inches and in breadth

from 1/6 to 1/3 inch.

The _spikes_ are usually few, 2 to 6, 3 to 6 inches long, with a

triquetrous, narrowly winged rachis.

The _spikelets_ are oblong, acute, binate, one pedicel being shorter

than the other, usually appressed to the rachis and not spreading.

[Illustration: Fig. 72.--Digitaria sanguinalis. _Var. ciliaris_.

1. A portion of the spike showing the binate spikelets; 2. a spikelet;

3. the minute scale-like first glume; 4, 5 and 6. the second, third and

the fourth glume, respectively; 7. the palea of the fourth glume.]

There are four _glumes_ including the minute glume. The _first glume_ is

a very minute scale. The _second glume_ is about half as long as the

third glume, membranous, usually 3-nerved and sometimes 3- to 5-nerved,

distinctly ciliate. The _third glume_ is oblong-lanceolate, acute,

membranous, 3- to 5-nerved, sparingly hairy in the lower spikelet and

densely bearded with soft spreading hairs in the upper spikelet. The

_fourth glume_ is lanceolate, or oblong-lanceolate, acute, somewhat

chartaceous, paleate; _palea_ is like the glume in texture. _Anthers_

are pale yellow. _Stigmas_ are white. There are two small cuneate

_lodicules_.

This is an excellent fodder grass. It grows well in all kinds of soils,

rich or poor, and is very common in dry fields brought under

cultivation.

_Distribution._--Throughout India.

=Digitaria sanguinalis, _Scop._=

_Var. Griffithii._

This is an annual with stems ascending from a prostrate or geniculate

base, glabrous and varying in length from 1 to 3 feet.

The _leaf-sheath_ is glabrous, thinly herbaceous and loose. The _ligule_

is a distinct membrane and the _nodes_ are glabrous.

The _leaf-blade_ is linear or linear-lanceolate, flat, acuminate,

varying in length from 2 inches to 12 inches and in breadth 1/6 to 1/3

inch.

The _inflorescence_ is of several slender spikes, usually drooping, 2 to

4 inches; the rachis is filiform and trigonous.

The _spikelets_ are linear-lanceolate, solitary or in distant pairs,

glabrous or ciliate, pedicelled and when binate the upper pedicel often

longer than the spikelets, usually spreading and not appressed to the

rachis.

[Illustration: Fig. 73.--Digitaria sanguinalis, _Var. Griffithii_.

1. Inflorescence; 2. a portion of the spike; 3 and 4. sessile and

pedicelled spikelets front and back view, respectively; 5. the

scale-like first glume; 6, 7 and 8. the second, third and the fourth

glume, respectively; 9. palea of the fourth glume; 10. the lodicules,

stamens and the ovary.]

There are four _glumes_. The _first glume_ is a minute scale. The

_second glume_ is shorter than the third and narrower, 5-nerved,

ciliate, acute or sometimes with two fine teeth. The _third glume_ is

oblong-lanceolate, acute, 5-nerved (rarely 3-nerved), ciliate on the

nerves. The _fourth glume_ is lanceolate, acute, sub-chartaceous,

paleate; _palea_ is like the glume in texture. _Anthers_ are yellow and

_stigmas_ are white. _Lodicules_ are two and small.

This seems to be a good fodder grass. It grows in all kinds of soils. It

is not so common in the plains as on the hills, though it occurs in the

plains at the base of the hills.

_Distribution._--Throughout India.

[Illustration: Fig. 74.--Digitaria sanguinalis, _Var. extensum_.]

=Digitaria sanguinalis, _Scop._=

_Var. extensum._

This grass is an annual with stems ascending from a prostrate or

geniculate, rooting branched base, greenish or purplish, glabrous and

varying in length from 1 to 2-1/2 feet.

The _leaf-sheath_ is thin, herbaceous, rather loose, keeled and

glabrous. The _ligule_ is a distinct membrane, truncate, rarely

irregularly toothed. The _nodes_ are glabrous.

The _leaf-blade_ is linear-lanceolate, acuminate, flat when mature and

convolute when young, glabrous, 1 to 12 inches long and 1/6 to 1/3 inch

broad, the margin is very closely and finely serrate, the midrib is

prominent with three or four main veins on each side.

The _inflorescence_ consists of a few or many spikes, corymbosely

arranged on a short angular slightly rough axis, erect or spreading,

1-1/2 to 4 inches long, the lowest ones in whorls of two to four; the

rachis is nearly triquetrous, laterally winged, base thickened and with

a few long white hairs; the peduncle is cylindric, smooth, 6 to 12

inches long.

[Illustration: Fig. 75.--Digitaria sanguinalis, _Var. extensum_.

1. A portion of spike; 2, 3 and 3a. the back and front views of a

spikelet; 4, 5 and 6 the first, second and the third glume,

respectively; 7. palea of the third glume; 8. anthers, lodicules and the

ovary.]

The _spikelets_ are oblong-lanceolate, acute, about 1/10 inch long,

binate, one pedicelled and the other subsessile, the pedicel is angular,

about 1/2 to 2/3 the length of the spikelet.

There are three _glumes_ in the spikelet corresponding to the second,

third and fourth glumes of a Panicum, the first glume being obsolete.

The _first glume_ is membranous, ovate-lanceolate, acute, about 1/3 the

length of the spikelet or very much less, 3-nerved, densely ciliate

along the margins and silkily hairy between the nerves. The _second

glume_ is greenish, oblong lanceolate, acute, ciliate along the margins

and with fine appressed silky hairs between the lateral nerves,

5-nerved, palea is very minute or absent. The _third glume_ is oblong,

sub-acuminate, a little shorter than the second glume, 3-nerved,

sub-chartaceous, paleate; _palea_ is similar to the glume in texture.

_Anthers_ are pale yellow with a tinge of purple. _Stigmas_ are white.

_Lodicules_ are two, minute and cuneate.

This is an excellent fodder grass and is very much liked by cattle. It

grows very rapidly and is found in cultivated fields and in somewhat

rich loamy soils.

_Distribution._--Throughout the Presidency in the plains and low hills.

[Illustration: Fig. 76.--Digitaria longiflora.]

=Digitaria longiflora, _Pers._=

This is a perennial grass with short underground branches covered with

scales. Stems are many, tufted, slender, creeping and rooting, or

ascending and suberect, simple or branched, 6 to 20 inches long and

leafy and leaves bifarious and divaricate.

_Leaf-sheaths_ are hairy or glabrous, compressed, keeled. The _ligule_

is a short membrane. _Nodes_ are glabrous.

_Leaf-blades_ are broadly lanceolate or linear-lanceolate, acute,

spreading, flat, or in short-leaved forms, stiff and pungent, 1 to 2

inches long (rarely also 5 inches long), glabrous above and below,

ciliate at the margins towards the base, and with a very minutely

serrate hyaline margin.

The _inflorescence_ consists of two to four terminal spikes with a

slender, long, hairy or glabrous peduncle. The spikes are slender, erect

or spreading with fine winged glabrous rachis.

The _spikelets_ are small, 1/20 to 1/14 inch, geminate, one short and

the other long pedicelled, appressed to the rachis, elliptic, silky with

slender crisped hairs, pale green or purplish.

[Illustration: Fig. 77.--Digitaria longiflora.

1. A portion of the spike; 2. the first glume; 3 and 4. the second and

third glumes; 5 and 6. the fourth glume and its palea; 7. lodicules,

ovary and stamens.]

There are three _glumes_ with a rudimentary first glume. The _first

glume_ is very minute and hyaline. The _second glume_ is as long as the

third, membranous, 5-nerved (rarely 3- to 7-nerved), silkily hairy. The

_third glume_ is similar to the second and usually 7-nerved (rarely 3-

to 5-nerved). The _fourth glume_ is sub-chartaceous, ovate-oblong,

paleate, slightly shorter than the third glume, pale brown, smooth.

There are two small _lodicules_. Styles are long and purple.

This grass grows in cultivated dry fields. It seems to like a sandy

loamy soil.

_Distribution._--Throughout India.

3. Eriochloa, _H. B. & K._

These are annuals or perennials. Leaves are flat. The inflorescence is a

raceme or a panicle. Spikelets are one-flowered, borne unilaterally on

the branches, and the base is thickened and jointed on the top of a

short pedicel. The spikelet has three glumes. The first and the second

glumes are subequal, membranous. The third glume is apiculate, hardened

in fruit. The lodicules are small and truncate. There are three stamens

with linear anthers. Styles are two free, with plumose stigmas. The

grain is oblong, free within the hardened glume and its palea.

[Illustration: Fig. 78.--Eriochloa polystachya.]

=Eriochloa polystachya, _H. B. & K._=

This grass is a densely tufted perennial, varying in height from 2 to 3

feet, with a short creeping root-stock. Stems are slender, or stout,

simple and branching, ascending from a short creeping and rooting base,

glabrous, slightly channelled on one side.

The _leaf-sheath_ is glabrous, green or partly purplish, striate, loose,

mouth and margins above sometimes pubescent. The _ligule_ is a short

villous ridge. _Nodes_ are perfectly glabrous.

The _leaf-blade_ is flat, linear or linear-lanceolate, acuminate,

glabrous on both sides, with a slender or prominent midrib, veins more

or less uniform, 2 to 10 inches long and 1/6 to 1/3 inch wide, convolute

when young. Sometimes the blade is purplish below.

The _inflorescence_ is a panicle on a long or short glabrous stalk,

striate, 2 to 7 inches long, with four to fifteen erect or spreading,

lax branches, the main rachis is glabrous, angular and deeply grooved.

Spikes or branches are slender, alternate, 1 to 2-1/2 inches, becoming

shorter upwards, thickened and puberulous at the base, and the secondary

rachis is flexuous, grooved, angular, and obscurely pubescent.

[Illustration: Fig. 79.--Eriochloa polystachya.

1. A portion of the branch; 2, 3 and 4. the first, second and the third

glume, respectively; 4a. back view of the third glume; 5. palea of the

third glume; 6. lodicules, stamens and the ovary; 7. grain.]

The _spikelets_ are green or purplish, ovate, lanceolate, acuminate 1/8

to 1/6 inch long, softly hairy, stalked, solitary above and binate below

and then one with a long and the other with a short pedicel rising from

a common short branchlet, loosely imbricate, distichous and shortly

stipitate and the stipe with a purple thickening; pedicel is short, 1/24

to 1/12 inch with sometimes long deciduous hairs and the tip somewhat

thickened.

There are three _glumes_ in the spikelet. The _first glume_ is

membranous, covered densely with silky hairs, ovate-lanceolate,

acuminate, tip very minutely 3-toothed with three to five fine nerves.

The _second glume_ is similar to the first glume but with a more pointed

tip, faintly 3- to 5-nerved; _palea_ is not present and if present it is

very small, hyaline and empty. The _third glume_ is shorter than the

first and the second glumes, thinly coriaceous, punctate, oblong,

obtuse, pale, faintly 3- to 5-nerved with a short scaberulous awn,

paleate; _palea_ is oblong, similar to the glume in texture, margin

infolded. _Anthers_ are three, linear, pale yellow. _Stigmas_ are

feathery, white when young and purple later. _Lodicules_ are two and

distinct.

This is a common succulent grass growing in large or small tufts in

moist situations such as sides of water channels, rivulets and bunds of

paddy fields. It is very much liked by cattle. This grass is easily

recognized by the silky lanceolate spikelets which have a purple

thickening at the base.

_Distribution._--Plains of India and Ceylon and in all hot countries.

4. Panicum, _L._

The grasses of this genus are annual or perennial and of various habits.

Inflorescence is either a raceme of spikes or, a lax or contracted

panicle. Spikelets are small, solitary or two to four, rarely more

ranked, 1- to 2-flowered, ovoid or oblong, rounded, or dorsally or

laterally compressed, falling entire with the pedicels. There are four

glumes in a spikelet. The first two glumes are empty and the first glume

is small (sometimes minute) and fewest nerved. The second glume is equal

or very nearly equal to the third glume, oblong-ovate or lanceolate, 5-

to many-nerved. The third glume is similar to the second, male or

neuter, paleate or not, 3- to 9-nerved. The fourth glume is chartaceous,

sometimes shortly stalked, ovate-oblong or lanceolate, hardened in the

fruit, smooth or rough, bisexual, paleate; the palea is as long and of

the same texture as the glume. Lodicules are cuneate or quadrate and two

in number. There are three stamens and an ovary with two style branches

ending in feathery stigmas. Grain is free and enclosed by the hardened

fourth glume and its palea.

KEY TO THE SPECIES.

A. Inflorescence racemose of simple (rarely

branched) spikes bearing secund spikelets.

I. Rachis of spikes broad and flattened.

(a) Spikelets biseriate.

Spikelets villous. 1. P. Isachne.

Spikelets glabrous.

Spikes shorter than the internodes. 2. P. flavidum.

Spikes longer than the internodes. 3. P. fluitans.

(b) Spikelets 3- to 5-seriate.

Third glume awned.

Stems stout, erect. 4. P. Crus-galli.

Stems stout, prostrate at base. 5. P. stagninum.

Third glume cuspidate.

Stems slender. 6. P. colonum.

II. Rachis of spikes narrow, filiform,

terete or angular.

First glume shorter than the third.

First glume semilunate, about 1/4

of the third glume. 7. P. prostratum.

First glume 1/2 of or less than

1/2 of third glume, 5-nerved. 8. P. ramosum.

Leaf base broad or cordate.

Fourth glume shortly awned. 9. P. javanicum.

Fourth glume muticous. 10. P. distachyum.

B. Inflorescence a contracted or open panicle.

I. Panicle contracted and spike-like.

Spikelets lanceolate and first glume

minute. 11. P. interruptum.

II. Panicle effuse.

Annuals; first glume nearly 3/4 of

the third glume. 12. P. trypheron.

Perennials; first glume less than

1/3 of the third glume. 13. P. repens.

[Illustration: Fig. 80.--Panicum Isachne.]

=Panicum Isachne, _Roth._=

This is an annual grass usually growing in tufts with fine fibrous roots

and many slender spreading branches, all of them at first creeping and

horizontal, rooting at the nodes and then becoming erect and varying in

length from 1 to 2 feet.

Stems are very slender, glabrous or covered with scattered hairs,

purplish or pale green, and branching freely towards the base.

The _leaf-sheath_ is shorter than the internodes, green or purplish,

striate, externally hairy with scattered bulbous-based hairs, varying in

length from 1/2 to 3 inches, the outer margin of the sheath is ciliate

with long hairs and at the mouths sometimes long hairs are present,

especially when the leaves are young. The _ligule_ is merely a dense

fringe of long hairs. _Nodes_ are tumid, purplish, covered with long

hairs.

The _leaf-blade_ is flat but convolute when young, lanceolate or

linear-lanceolate, acuminate, base rounded and margin with minute

serrations. It is glabrous or occasionally hairy with scattered,

tubercle-based, deciduous hairs, and varying in length from 1 to 3

inches generally (sometimes in well-grown plants it is 5 inches) and in

breadth from 1/8 to 1/4 inch. The midrib is prominent though slender at

the base and four veins are present on each side with five or six

smaller ones between them.

[Illustration: Fig. 81.--Panicum Isachne.

1 and 1a. Front and back view of a spike; 2 and 2a. back and front views

of a spikelet; 3 and 4. the first and the second glume, respectively; 5

and 5a. the third glume and its palea; 6 and 6a. the fourth glume and

its palea; 7. lodicules, anthers and ovary; 8. grain.]

The _inflorescence_ is an erect, narrow panicle consisting of spikes

varying in number from 5 to 12 and in length from 2 to 3 inches. The

_spikes_ are erect, pressed to the very slender rachis, longer than the

internodes of the main rachis, stalked or sessile, mostly simple but

sometimes the lower dividing into two or three branches, 1/2 to 1 inch

long. The rachis of the spike is very slender, angular, flexuous,

narrower than the spikelets, scaberulous with a few long cilia at the

angles.

The _spikelets_ are very small, 1/16 inch long, turned all to one side

and closely packed in two rows, oblong or oval-oblong, obtuse or

subacute, softly hairy, pale green or purplish, with very short pedicels

which are pubescent with a few long hairs towards the thickened cupular

tips.

There are four _glumes_ in the spikelet. The _first glume_ is very

small, membranous, glabrous, broader than long, cordate or triangular,

broadly but shallowly emarginate, nerveless or very obscurely 1- to

2-nerved. The _second glume_ is pale or purplish, 5-nerved, hairy, as

long as the third glume, membranous, oblong and obtuse. The _third

glume_ is pale, nearly equal to the second glume with a longitudinal

depression at the back, less hairy than the second glume, 3-nerved

(rarely 5-nerved also); _palea_ is present, and it is hyaline, shorter

than the glume, truncate or shallowly retuse, usually barren but

occasionally with three stamens. The _fourth glume_ is oblong, rounded,

coriaceous, smooth, shining, dorsally flattened, 3- or indistinctly

5-nerved; _palea_ is similar to the glume in texture and with folded

margins. There are three _stamens_ with yellow anthers. _Lodicules_ are

two, very small and distinct. _Ovary_ has two styles with feathery

_stigmas_ white at first, but turning deep purple while withering.

This delicate and small grass occurs here and there as mere tufts

especially in sheltered situations. It usually flourishes in black

cotton soils amidst cholam (_Andropogon Sorghum_), although it thrives

equally well in other rich soils. This is considered to be a very good

fodder grass.

_Distribution._--It is fairly common all over the Madras Presidency, and

goes up to 3,000 or 4,000 feet. It occurs in Africa, America and Italy.

[Illustration: Fig. 82.--Panicum flavidum.]

=Panicum flavidum, _Retz._=

This plant is a tufted annual. It branches freely from the base;

branches are tufted, decumbent at first but soon becoming erect,

slender, glabrous, compressed and leafy, varying in length from 1 to 3

feet.

Leaves are somewhat distichous. The _leaf-sheath_ is compressed,

glabrous, sometimes with a tinge of purple, the lower ones swollen at

the base and the mouth is hairy. The _ligule_ is a fringe of hairs.

Nodes are glabrous.

The _leaf-blade_ is flat, thinly coriaceous, linear-lanceolate and

acuminate, or ligulate with a rounded tip, 3 to 5 inches in length, 3/16

to 5/16 inch wide, glabrous or very thinly scaberulous, base rounded or

slightly cordate with long white ciliate hairs on the small basal lobes.

[Illustration: Fig. 83.--Panicum flavidum.

1 and 2. Front and back view of a portion of spike; 1a and 2a. the front

and back view of a spikelet; 3 and 4. the first and the second glume,

respectively; 5 and 5a. the third glume and its palea; 6 and 6a. the

fourth glume and its palea; 7. anthers and ovary; 8. grain.]

The _inflorescence_ is a raceme of spikes, 5 to 10 inches long, erect or

inclined on a short or long, glabrous, strongly channelled peduncle; the

main rachis is grooved, angled and scaberulous. _Spikes_ are few or

many, 1/4 to 1 inch long, erect, pressing on the rachis of the

inflorescence along the groove, distant and sessile; the lower spikes

are very much shorter than the internodes, but the upper equal to or

longer than the internodes; the rachis of the spike is angular,

flattened below, erect or slightly recurved.

The _spikelets_ are white, in two rows on a flattened rachis, obliquely

ovoid or gibbously globose, glabrous, sessile, 1/8 inch in length.

There are four _glumes_. The _first glume_ is suborbicular, about half

the length of the third glume, usually 3-nerved. The _second glume_ is

broadly ovate, obtuse, concave, larger than the first glume and nearly

equal to or shorter than the fourth glume, 7-nerved, rarely 7- to

9-nerved, nerves are anastomosing, tip rounded. The _third glume_ is

broadly ovate or oblong, equal to or longer than the fourth glume,

obtuse, 3- to 5-nerved, paleate, mostly with and rarely without stamens.

The _anthers_ are yellow and they do not open until the stigmas and

anthers of the fourth glume are thrown out. _Lodicules_ are two and

conspicuous. _Palea_ is hyaline with infolded margins. The _fourth

glume_ is coriaceous, broadly ovate, tip acutely pointed and almost

cuspidate or acute, mucronate, white or brownish, reticulately minutely

pitted. _Anthers_ are three and yellow. _Stigmas_ are purplish.

_Lodicules_ are small but conspicuous.

This grass is very common throughout the plains and grows in the bunds

of paddy fields and in wet situations, and goes up to moderate

elevations on the hills. Cattle eat this grass greedily and seem to like

it. It is considered to be an excellent fodder.

_Distribution._--In wet situations all over India ascending to 6,000

feet. Occurs also in Ceylon, Africa, Tropical Asia and Australia.

[Illustration: Fig. 84.--Panicum fluitans.]

=Panicum fluitans, _Retz._=

This is a perennial grass with prostrate branches which afterwards

become erect towards the free ends. The young branches are covered with

scale-leaves. Stems are stout, glabrous, smooth and hollow, rooting at

the lower nodes.

The _leaf-sheath_ is loose, glabrous, striate, margins not ciliate. The

_ligule_ is a ridge with a row of erect long hairs. _Nodes_ are

glabrous.

The _leaf-blade_ is firm, linear, finely acuminate, base rounded, rather

narrower than the sheath at the white band, very thinly scaberulous

above and glabrous below, veins prominent above, 3 to 9 inches long, 1/4

to 7/16 inch broad; margins are slightly incurved and the midrib is

conspicuous only at the lower portion of the blade. The scale-leaves

persist at the base of the stems.

[Illustration: Fig. 85.--Panicum fluitans.

1 and 2. Front and back view of a spike; 1a. and 2a. front and back view

of a spikelet; 3, 4 and 5. first, second and third glume respectively;

5a. palea of the third glume and stamens in it; 6 and 6a. fourth glume

and its palea; 7. stamens and ovary.]

The _inflorescence_ is a compound spike varying in length from 4 to 10

inches, erect; the main rachis is triquetrous, dorsally rounded,

glabrous and very thinly scaberulous at the edges. _Spikes_ are many

(fifteen and more), sessile, secund, generally longer than the

internodes, and appressed to the rachis, 1/4 to 1-1/2 inches long; the

rachis of the spike is angular, edges scaberulous and with very fine

short hairs.

The _spikelets_ are pale, ovoid, acute, biseriate, imbricate, very

shortly pedicellate, glabrous, 1/16 to 1/8 inch, pedicels are hairy with

a few long hairs towards the base.

There are four _glumes_. The _first glume_ is white, thin, membranous,

truncate and wavy at the apex, nerveless or sometimes with one to three

short nerves, less than one-third of the third glume, broader than long

and clasping at the base. The _second glume_ is ovate, obtuse or

subacute, concave, submembranous, slightly shorter than the fourth

glume, 5-nerved but occasionally 6- or 7-nerved. The _third glume_ is a

little longer than the second and the fourth, usually 5-nerved, broadly

ovate, acute, paleate, always with three stamens which come out only

after the fading of the stigmas and enlargement of the ovary in the

fourth glume. _Lodicules_ are distinct and conspicuous; _palea_ is broad

with incurved broad margins and hyaline. The _fourth glume_ is thinly

coriaceous, shining, striolate, broadly ovate, mucronate, compressed,

faintly and thinly 5-nerved and _palea_ with infolded margins. _Anthers_

are yellow. _Stigmas_ are white when young. _Lodicules_ are distinct.

It is a common grass of the wet lands met with in many parts of the

Presidency and often confused and united with _Panicum punctatum_, Burm.

_Distribution._--Throughout India and Ceylon. It is also found in

Arabia, Afghanistan, Africa and Tropical America.

[Illustration: Fig. 86.--Panicum Crus-galli.]

=Panicum Crus-galli, _L._=

It is a tufted annual with many erect branches growing to a height

varying from 2 to 3 or 4 feet and the whole plant is glabrous. Stem is

stout or slender, simple or branched.

The _leaf-sheath_ is smooth, glabrous and loose, varying in length from

2 to 6 inches, keeled. The _ligule_ is only a smooth semilunar line

without hairs. _Nodes_ are glabrous and the lower nodes bear

adventitious roots.

The _leaf-blade_ is narrowly linear-lanceolate, flat, finely acuminate,

glabrous or very minutely scabrid with a stout midrib; margin is

minutely serrate and with tubercle-based hairs near the base. The blades

of the lower leaves are longer than those in the upper and at the

junction with the sheath the blade is narrow, just as broad or less than

the sheath, and becomes broader about the middle; the length varies from

6 to 10 inches generally, also to 14 inches, and breadth at base 1/4

inch and at the middle 5/16 inch; the upper leaf-blade is generally

shorter, varying from 5 to 10 inches and very broad at the base near the

sheath, about 7/16 inch and gets gradually narrow upwards. It is

convolute when young.

The _inflorescence_ is a compound spike varying in length from 4 to 8

inches, contracted and pyramidal and always erect; the main rachis is

stout, angled with very minute hairs on the ridges and with a tuft of

bristly hairs and also tubercle-based hairs at the place of insertion of

the spikes. _Spikes_ are many (up to 16 or rarely more), simple or

branched, the lower ones longer, but getting gradually shorter upwards,

and varying in length from 1/2 to 2 inches. The rachis of the spike is

angular, with scattered tubercle-based bristly hairs.

[Illustration: Fig. 87.--Panicum Crus-galli.

1 and 2. Front and back views of spike; 3. spikelet; 4 and 5. first and

second glumes; 6 and 7. third glume and its palea; 8. fourth glume,

front and back view; 9. ovary, anthers and lodicules.]

The _spikelets_ are turgid, densely packed on one side of the rachis in

three to five rows, sessile or subsessile, sub-globose or ovoid, with

unequal tubercle-based bristly hairs on the nerves of the glumes and

with short minute hairs on the outer surface of the glumes, 1/12 to 1/8

inch; awn 1/4 inch to 5/16 inch.

There are four _glumes_. The _first glume_ is 1/3 to 1/2 of the third

glume, suborbicular, abruptly acuminate or rarely mucronate and 5-nerved

(very rarely 5- to 7-nerved), clasping at base and margins thinly

ciliolate. The _second glume_ is ovate oblong, short, awned and

5-nerved; sometimes with partial nerves at the apex between the central

and the lateral nerves, and then 5- to 7- or 5- to 9-nerved, hispidly

hairy on the nerves, margins ciliolate. The _third glume_ is as long as

the second, ovate-oblong and the apex abruptly ending in a stout scabrid

nerved awn, varying in length from 1/4 to 3/8 inch, rarely 1 inch; 5- to

7-nerved (two partial at tip), paleate and sometimes with three stamens;

_palea_ is hyaline, ovate-oblong with infolded margins. The _fourth

glume_ is smooth, shining, broadly oblong, faintly 5-nerved, apex

rounded or cuspidate with a few cilia; paleate with a single bisexual

flower; _palea_ is similar to the glume in structure. _Anthers_ are

orange yellow, and _lodicules_ are very small. _Stigmas_ are white.

Grain is smooth and ovoid.

This grass grows in paddy fields and wet places generally. It is

considered to be a very good fodder grass in Australia and America. This

is the "Barn-yard" grass of the Americans, highly valued as a fodder

grass.

_Distribution._--Throughout India in wet places and in paddy fields.

=Panicum stagninum, _Retz._=

It is an annual. The stems are glabrous, creeping and somewhat prostrate

at the base, and the upper portion is erect, 3 to 4 feet long, and

rooting at the nodes in the geniculate portion of the stem.

The _leaf-sheath_ is smooth, striate, glabrous, sometimes pubescent

about the lower nodes, varying in length from 1-1/2 to 4-1/2 inches. The

_ligule_ is distinct, consisting of a fringe of stiff hairs.

The _leaf-blade_ is linear-lanceolate, acuminate or acute, base rounded,

glabrous, smooth below, especially in the lower part, and scabrid above

and in the upper part, 6 to 12 inches long, by 1/4 to 3/8 inch; the

lower leaves have their blades somewhat narrower at the base than in the

middle, but the blades in the upper part of the stem and in the middle

are of the same breadth; margins are very minutely serrate.

[Illustration: Fig. 88.--Panicum stagninum.

1. Front view of a portion of spike; 2. back view of the same; 3 and 4.

front and back views of a spikelet; 5, 6 and 7. the first, second and

the third glume, respectively; 8. palea of the third glume with its

anthers; 9. front and back view of fourth glume; 10. the ovary, stamens

and lodicules.]

The _inflorescence_ is 4 to 8 inches long; the main _rachis_ is angular,

grooved, scabrid on the ridges. The _spikes_ are 7 to 10 inches,

alternate, pale green or purplish, rather distant, spreading or suberect

(never erect) 1/2 to 1-1/2 inches long, sessile and with a tuft of

bristly hairs at the base; the rachis of the spike is angular, grooved

with scattered bulbous-based bristles on the ridges.

The _spikelets_ are four ranked, ovoid-lanceolate, 1/8 to 1/6 inch long

without the awn, somewhat flattened on one side and gibbous on the

other, pale green or purplish, with equal bulbous-based bristly hairs on

the nerves.

There are four _glumes_. The _first glume_ is half of the third glume,

thin, membranous, hairy, broadly ovate, abruptly cuspidate at the apex,

and acuminate, 5-nerved (rarely 3-nerved). The _second glume_ is broadly

ovate-lanceolate, concave, acuminate, short awned, 5-nerved with two

partial nerves one on each side of the central nerve (7- to 9-nerved at

the tip), hairs on nerves, a few tubercled. The _third glume_ is similar

to the second, broadly ovate-lanceolate, awned, awn 1/8 to 1/4 inch,

paleate with usually three stamens, occasionally neuter. _Lodicules_ are

present. The _fourth glume_ is chartaceous, shining, smooth

ovate-oblong, apex cuspidate, with a few hairs on the edges at the apex,

faintly 5-nerved. The _anthers_ within this glume come out before those

of the third glume. _Anthers_ are three, yellowish and _lodicules_ are

conspicuous though small.

In this grass very often, purple streaks or bands occur across the leaf

blades and the sheath and the spikelets become purple on one side as is

met with in P. colonum. This grass is occasionally found in the paddy

fields either alone, or along with _Panicum Crus-galli_.

_Distribution._--Throughout the Madras and the Bombay Presidencies and

in Ceylon in wet places especially in cultivated ground and in ditches.

Occurs more or less throughout India.

[Illustration: Fig. 89.--Panicum colonum.]

=Panicum colonum, _L._=

This is a slender annual growing to a height of 2 feet. The stems are

creeping below, erect above, and with roots in the lower internodes of

the decumbent part of the stem, smooth, dull green or partly purplish.

The _leaf-sheath_ is glabrous and sharply keeled. The _nodes_ are

glabrous or obscurely pubescent. There is no _ligule_.

The _leaf-blade_ is narrow, lanceolate, acuminate, glabrous but

sometimes tubercle-based hairs occur just on the margin at the base of

the leaf-blade close to the white band, varying in length from 1 to 6

inches and in breadth 3/16 to 5/16 inch; the margin is minutely and

distantly serrate, midrib is quite distinct and there are three main

veins on each side and three or four smaller between main ones. The

blades of the lower leaves are narrow at the base and broader at about

the middle but those of the upper are equally broad at the base, as well

as at the middle.

[Illustration: Fig. 90.--Panicum colonum.

1 and 2. The front and back view of the spikes; 1a and 2a. the back and

the front view of the spikelet; 3, 4 and 5. the first, second and the

third glume, respectively; 6. palea of the third glume; 7 and 8. the

fourth glume and its palea; 9. ovary anther and lodicules.]

The _inflorescence_ is a contracted panicle, 3 to 5 inches long.

_Spikes_ are from 8 to 20, suberect, usually distant, 1/4 to 1 inch long

and getting shorter upwards; the rachis of the spike is stout, angular,

scaberulous on the angles with a few long hairs towards the base.

The _spikelets_ are small green or partly purplish 1/12 to 1/10 inch

long, globosely ovoid, acute, pubescent with minute hairs on the outer

surface of the glumes and bristly hairs on the nerves, all on one side,

sessile or very shortly pedicelled, two or three from a node, one or two

barren, 3- to 5-seriate.

There are four _glumes_ in the spikelet. The _first glume_ is about half

of the third glume, broadly ovate or suborbicular, acute, generally

3-nerved, rarely 5-nerved, pubescent between and hispidly hairy on the

nerves. The _second glume_ is as long as the third, broadly ovate,

cuspidate, 5-nerved sometimes with two partial nerves added one on each

side of the central vein, pubescent between the veins and hispid on the

veins. The _third glume_ is similar to the second, 5-nerved, tip with a

few cilia, paleate; _palea_ is empty oblong-orbicular, subacute. The

_fourth glume_ is coriaceous, shining, turgid, broadly ovate, acute,

paleate. Sometimes the tip possesses a few cilia. _Anthers_ are three,

pale yellow and _stigmas_ dark purple. _Lodicules_ are small but

conspicuous.

This grass is common in water-logged situations, in paddy fields and in

irrigated dry lands. Sometimes on the blades of this grass purple bands

are present and the internodes and the spikes also become purplish.

It is really a weed of cultivation met with generally on rich soils.

This grass is considered to be one of the best fodder grasses in India.

All kinds of cattle eat it greedily.

_Distribution._--It is found throughout India up to 6,000 feet and also

in all warm countries.

[Illustration: Fig. 91.--Panicum prostratum.]

=Panicum prostratum, _Lamk._=

The plant is a slender annual and it consists of several branches,

prostrate and creeping, with adventitious roots at the nodes below,

branching or ascending above, all green or sometimes purple above and

green below, 4 to 18 inches long.

The _leaf-sheath_ is striate, 1 to 2 inches long, glabrous or very

sparsely hairy, purplish above and green below or all green, keeled,

margins ciliate on one side only throughout its length. The _ligule_ is

a fringe of white hairs. The _nodes_ are glabrous or pubescent.

The _leaf-blade_ is short or long, varying from 1/2 to 2-1/2 inches in

length and 3/16 to 5/16 inch in breadth, convolute when young,

lanceolate to broadly ovate-lanceolate, acute or acuminate, upper

surface glabrous, and the lower glabrous or with a few scattered

tubercle-based hairs; margins are very minutely serrate; base is

cordate, amplexicaul with a few long slender hairs (sometimes

tubercle-based), just close to the white patch on both sides on the

margin of the blade about the ligule. The midrib is distinct.

The _inflorescence_ consists of five to fifteen or twenty spikes

spreading in all directions, distant or crowded; peduncle varies from 1

to 4 inches. _Spikes_ are 1/2 to 1-3/8 inches, sessile or shortly

stalked; the _rachis_ of the spike is slender, trigonous and

scaberulous.

[Illustration: Fig. 92.--Panicum prostratum.

A. Front and back view of spike; B. front and back view of a spikelet;

1, 2, 3 and 4, the first, second, third and the fourth glume,

respectively; 3a and 4a. the palea of the third and the fourth glumes;

5. anthers, ovary and lodicules.]

The _spikelets_ are crowded all on one side, 2- to 3-seriate,

ellipsoidal, 1/20 to 1/16 inch long, glabrous or pubescent, pale green

or purple on one side, in pairs on pedicels, one with a slightly longer

pedicel than the other; fine long hairs, varying in number from one to

eight and longer than the spikelets, are found on the pedicels at their

tips in some plants and not in others.

There are four _glumes_ in the spikelet. The _first glume_ is very short

about 1/4 of the third or less, semilunar, membranous, hyaline,

subtruncate, obtuse or acute, generally nerveless, but rarely, obscurely

1- to 3-nerved. The _second glume_ is membranous, ovate, acute, glabrous

or pubescent and 7-nerved. The _third glume_ is of about the same length

as the second, 5-nerved, always paleate, with or without stamens;

_palea_ is broad, margins infolded, 2-nerved, obtuse and hyaline; when

stamens are present the _lodicules_ are very conspicuous. The _fourth

glume_ is slightly shorter than the third, oblong or elliptic,

apiculate, minutely rugulose, thinly coriaceous, with bisexual flower;

_palea_ is similar to the glume in texture and markings. _Stamens_ are

three with yellowish anthers. _Lodicules_ are small and fleshy.

This plant occurs widely as a weed of cultivation in black cotton as

well as other kinds of soil and shows variation in its leaves and

spikelets. In some plants growing in somewhat dry places the leaves are

shorter and broader, and those in favourable situations have longer

narrower leaves. The spikelets are either perfectly glabrous or

pubescent and long hairs may or may not be present on the pedicels. As

regards colour the whole plant is green or the exposed portions of stems

and spikelets are purplish. This grass is liked by cattle and is one of

the most nutritious of Indian fodder grasses.

_Distribution._--Throughout India and Ceylon in the plains. Common in

the Tropics.

[Illustration: Fig. 93.--Panicum javanicum]

=Panicum javanicum, _Poir._=

This is an annual and it branches freely and the branches are decumbent

and rooting at the nodes at the base, and erect to some extent at the

free end, 1 to 2 feet long; the internodes are glabrous, thinly striate,

shallowly channelled on one side.

The _leaf-sheath_ is somewhat compressed and loose, covered with

scattered long hairs, some of them being tubercle-based; the margin is

ciliate on one side only. The _nodes_ are pubescent with long hairs. The

_ligule_ is a distinct fringe of hairs.

The _leaf-blade_ is broadly lanceolate, cordate at base, amplexicaul,

acuminate or acute, with scattered long hairs both above and below, and

some of the hairs of the under surface are tubercle-based, convolute

when young; margin of the leaf is wavy, minutely serrate, and ciliated

with distant hairs towards the lower half of the leaf when young; the

midrib is prominent below.

[Illustration: Fig. 94.--Panicum javanicum.

1 and 2. Front and back view of a spike; 3, 4, 5 and 6. the first,

second, third and the fourth glume, respectively; 5a and 6a. the palea

of third and fourth glumes; 7. the ovary and the stamens.]

The _inflorescence_ is a panicle of spikes on a short or long erect

slender peduncle. _Spikes_ vary from two to ten in number and in length

from 1/2 to 2 inches, distant and spreading; the rachis of the spike is

zigzag, somewhat flattened with a wavy ridge, scaberulous or glabrous,

swollen towards the base and the swollen part is pubescent.

The _spikelets_ are biseriate, loosely imbricate, ovate, acute,

pubescent or villous (sometimes quite glabrous), sessile or shortly

pedicelled; the pedicels have one or two (rarely more) long hairs.

There are four _glumes_. The _first glume_ is small, membranous, less

than 1/2 of the third glume, ovate, acute or obtuse, 3- to 5-nerved. The

_second glume_ is nearly equal to the third, ovate acute, generally

7-nerved and sometimes 7- to 13-nerved. The _third glume_ is similar to

the second in shape, generally 5-nerved and occasionally 7-nerved,

paleate with three stamens or empty; _palea_ 2-nerved, ovate or oblong,

margins infolded. The _fourth glume_ is ovate or oblong, rugulose,

chartaceous, apex with a distinct mucro concealed in the second and

third glumes; _palea_ same as the glume in texture, etc. _Anthers_ are

yellowish; _stigmas_ are feathery and purple in colour; _lodicules_ are

small and fleshy.

This is an excellent fodder grass. Though it is an annual it grows

rapidly under favourable conditions. A single plant found growing in the

compound of the Agricultural College, Coimbatore, weighed 15 lb. and

occupied 15 square feet of the ground. It flourishes in cultivated dry

fields and in rich loamy soils. (See fig. 7.)

_Distribution._--Plains of India and Ceylon and in Tropical countries

generally.

[Illustration: Fig. 95.--Panicum ramosum.]

=Panicum ramosum, _L._=

This is an annual with stems erect or ascending from a creeping base,

rooting at the lower nodes, 1 to 2 feet long. The stem is slender or

stout, usually glabrous though occasionally glabrescent or pubescent,

channelled on one side, branched from base upwards, and leafy.

The _leaf-sheath_ is finely striate, keeled, thinly pubescent with the

margins ciliate near the ligule. The _ligule_ is only a fringe of short

hairs. _Nodes_ are softly hairy.

The _leaf-blade_ is flat, linear-lanceolate, acuminate, softly pubescent

or glabrescent on both the surfaces, with rounded or subcordate base and

margins minutely serrate and ciliate, 2 to 6 inches long 1/6 to 1/2 inch

broad; the midrib is distinct though slender with four to six main veins

on each side.

The _inflorescence_ is a pyramidal panicle 2 to 6 inches long,

consisting of usually five to ten (rarely also up to twenty) erect or

spreading spikes. _Spikes_ are distant, alternate and in some the lower

ones are opposite, 1/2 to 2-1/2 inches long or shorter. The _rachis_ of

the spike is thin, angular and scaberulous.

The _spikelets_ are usually pubescent, ovoid or obovoid, acute, turgid,

1/8 inch, pale green and some occasionally purplish on one side,

alternate close or distant, in pairs lower down and then one with a

somewhat longer pedicel, solitary in the upper portions, pedicels with

hairs, some of them especially those near the apex being longer.

[Illustration: Fig. 96.--Panicum ramosum.

1 and 2. Back and front view of spike; 3 and 4. front and back view of a

spikelet; 5 and 6. first and second glumes; 7 and 8. third glume and its

palea; 9 and 10. fourth glume and its palea; 11. ovary, anthers and

lodicules.]

There are four _glumes_. The _first glume_ is nearly half the length of

the third glume, broadly ovate, subacute, margin overlapping at the

base, and usually 5-nerved. The _second glume_ is broadly ovate acute,

rather cuspidate, usually 5-nerved (rarely 7-nerved). The _third glume_

is similar to the second glume, 5-nerved, paleate, empty; _palea_ is

hyaline oblong, acute. The _fourth glume_ is ovoid-oblong, acute,

coriaceous, rugulose, with short broadened stipes, and three faint

nerves; _palea_ similar to the glume in texture and markings. _Anthers_

are orange-yellow; _style_ branches are purple. _Lodicules_ are small

and fleshy.

This grass is a common weed found in dry cultivated fields and open

waste places and is one of the best fodder grasses available.

_Distribution._--Plains throughout India and in Afghanistan.

[Illustration: Fig. 97.--Panicum distachyum.]

=Panicum distachyum, _L._=

This grass is an annual. Stems are slender, rarely stout, creeping and

rooting at the nodes, pale green or purplish, with erect or ascending

slender branches, varying in length from 10 to 15 inches, glabrous or

pubescent, channelled near the nodes.

The _leaf-sheath_ is glabrous or glabrescent and sometimes hirsute;

margin is ciliate. The _ligule_ is a fringe of short hairs. _Nodes_ are

glabrous or pubescent.

The _leaf-blade_ is lanceolate or narrowly lanceolate, base cordate and

subamplexicaul, glabrous or rarely sparsely hairy on both sides; margins

are wavy here and there, finely serrate with tubercle-based hairs

towards the base, the midrib is slender, not prominent and veins not

distinct. There is considerable variation in leaves especially in the

length. In the ordinary form it varies from 1/2 to 3 inches and even up

to 6 or 7 inches sometimes in length and the breadth from 1/8 to 1/4

inch. In one form which is separated as a variety (var. _brevifolium_,

Wight and Arnott,) the leaves are always short and broad,

ovate-lanceolate never exceeding 1 inch in length.

The _inflorescence_ consists of two or three, very rarely four erect or

spreading distant spikes on a somewhat slender very hairy peduncle.

_Spikes_ are from 1/2 to 2 inches; _rachis_ is slender, flexuous,

flattened, scaberulous, with a few long hairs scattered singly along the

margins or without these hairs.

[Illustration: Fig. 98.--Panicum distachyum.

1 and 2. Front and back view of a portion of a spike; 3, 4, 5, and 6.

the first, second, third and the fourth glume, respectively; 5a and 6a.

palea of the third and the fourth glume, respectively; 7. anthers and

ovary.]

The _spikelets_ are glabrous, ovate-oblong, acute, 1/8 inch, 1- or

2-seriate, subsessile, pale green, occasionally purplish on one side.

There are four _glumes_. The _first glume_ is membranous, broadly ovate,

obtuse with margins overlapping at the base, hardly half the length of

the third glume, usually 5-nerved but occasionally 7-nerved. The

attachment of the first glume is not close to that of the second glume

but is far lower. The _second glume_ is ovate-acute, 7-nerved. The

_third glume_ is equal to the second, 5-nerved, paleate, empty; the

_palea_ is narrow, hyaline, acute. The _fourth glume_ is ellipsoidal,

obtuse, chartaceous, minutely and obscurely rugulose, faintly 3-nerved,

with the base somewhat thickened. _Palea_ is similar to the glume in

texture. _Anthers_ are orange-yellow. _Lodicules_ are minute and fleshy.

Style branches are purple.

This grass is fairly common in open and loamy and sandy soils. The form

(var. _brevifolium_, Wight & Arnott) is fairly common in Coimbatore

District.

_Distribution._--Plains of India and Ceylon. Not recorded from the

Bombay Presidency. It occurs in China, Malaya and Australia.

[Illustration: Fig. 99.--Panicum interruptum.]

=Panicum interruptum, _Willd._=

This is a large perennial grass with stems reaching 5 to 6 feet in

length, flourishing in marshes and in the edges of ponds and tanks.

The stems are long, stout and spongy below, ascending from a creeping

and rooting or floating root-stock; the lower internodes are often 1/2

inch or more in thickness, with nodes bearing in fascicles long stout

roots clothed with fine lateral roots; and the upper internodes are long

and slender.

The _leaf-sheath_ is glabrous, striate. The _ligule_ is a short broad

membrane.

The _leaf-blade_ is soft, flat, many-nerved, linear, finely acuminate,

margins smooth, base rounded or subcordate, glabrous, 6 to 12 inches

long, 1/4 to 1/2 inch broad.

The _inflorescence_ is a strict spike-like panicle, 6 to 12 inches long

by 1/4 to 1/3 inch broad, cylindric, interrupted below; the rachis

terete, stout, channelled.

The _spikelets_ are glabrous, green, herbaceous, densely packed in small

fascicles, ovoid lanceolate, 1/6 to 1/5 inch long; many spikelets are

imperfect.

[Illustration: Fig. 100.--Panicum interruptum.

1 and 2. Front and back view of a spikelet; 3. first glume; 4. second

glume; 5. third glume; 6. palea of third glume; 7 and 8. the fourth

glume and its palea; 9. ovary, lodicules and stamens.]

There are four _glumes_. The _first glume_ is hyaline, membranous, about

1/3 the length of the third glume, broadly ovate or orbicular, obtuse,

5-nerved. The _second glume_ is membranous, ovate-oblong, obtuse,

prominently 9-nerved. The _third glume_ is as long as the second but

broader, ovate-oblong, 9-nerved, paleate; _palea_ is small with three

stamens or without them. The _fourth glume_ is shorter than the third

glume, lanceolate, subacute, thinly coriaceous white, polished, dorsally

convex; the _palea_ is as long as the glume and thinly coriaceous. There

are two small _lodicules_.

This is a rank marsh grass growing abundantly in permanent marshes and

edges of tanks and ponds. Cattle eat this along with other grasses, when

young and not covered with algae.

_Distribution._--In swampy situations throughout India and Ceylon.

=Panicum trypheron, _Schult._=

The plant is a tufted annual leafy at the base, with branches spreading

a little at the base and then erect, varying in length from 1/2 to 3

feet. Stems are stout or slender, cylindric or slightly compressed

towards the base.

The _leaf-sheath_ is striated, green or purple tinged, shorter than the

internodes, the upper portion hairy (sometimes tubercle-based) and the

lower glabrous, with sometimes ciliate margin. The _ligule_ is a short

membrane with a fringe of slender hair-like processes. _Nodes_ are

glabrous.

The _leaf-blade_ is flat, convolute when young, linear-lanceolate, acute

or narrow linear-lanceolate, acuminate, hairy on both sides (hairs

indistinctly bulbous-based); margin is very minutely serrate and often

ciliate with tubercle-based hairs; base is narrowed, slightly rounded or

cordate; midrib is conspicuous though narrow and keeled; length 1 to 7

inches and breadth 1/8 to 3/8 inch.

The _inflorescence_ is a diffuse panicle 4 to 14 inches long with

filiform, divaricate, scaberulous, angled branches; the main _rachis_ is

angular, smooth below and scaberulous above; peduncle is cylindric,

striate, 2 to 12 inches long. Branches are irregularly distantly

alternate, solitary or rarely two, swollen at base, dividing into

slender filiform spreading branchlets; the lower branches from 3 to 7

inches in length and getting shorter upwards. Branchlets are 1/2 to 3

inches, capillary, angular and further dividing.

[Illustration: Fig. 101.--Panicum trypheron.

1 and 2. Front and back view of the spikelet; 3, 4 and 5. the first,

second and the third glume, respectively; 6. palea of the third glume; 7

and 8. the fourth glume and its palea; 9. stamens, ovary and lodicules.]

The _spikelets_ are ovate, acuminate, binate (sometimes solitary or

three) on a common finely filiform stalk, one long and the other short

pedicelled, pale or yellowish green, or purple; pedicels are angular,

scabrid or scaberulous, slightly swollen at the top and sometimes with

setose hairs also.

There are four _glumes_. The _first glume_ is green or purple, broadly

ovate, acuminate, clasping at the base, about two-thirds of the third

glume, membranous, nerves five, the lateral two stout and anastomosing

halfway, finely scaberulous especially on the nerves and more so on the

central one. The _second glume_ is slightly longer than the third, green

or purple, ovate, acuminate, generally 7-nerved and sometimes also with

two more indistinct marginal nerves, i.e., 9-nerved, scaberulous on the

nerves. The _third glume_ is pale green or yellow, ovate-oblong, acute

or subacute, obscurely scaberulous, 9-nerved (two of the nerves in the

middle sometimes not running to the base), paleate, empty. _Palea_ is

hyaline, smaller than the glume, oblong, obtuse, minutely two-lobed or

two-toothed at the apex; margins broadly infolded. The _fourth glume_ is

elliptic obtuse, shorter than the third, smooth, shining, coriaceous,

dorsally convex, with a prominent short, broad stipe at the base which

is persistent with the glume, 5-nerved, sometimes with seven nerves

especially when young (two marginal ones being indistinct). _Palea_ is

similar to the glume in texture. _Anthers_ are three, linear, orange

yellow. _Lodicules_ are two and prominent though small. _Stigmas_

feathery and white.

_P. tenellum_, Roxb. Fl. Indica I. 306 is probably not this plant though

quoted as a synonym, for it is described as having culms prostrate and

rooting at the nodes.

This grass is of wide distribution in the Presidency, but it is nowhere

abundant. It is fairly common in cultivated dry fields. Cattle like this

grass.

[Illustration: Fig. 102.--Panicum repens.

1. Full plant; 2. a portion of the leaf and ligule.]

=Panicum repens, _L._=

This is a perennial glaucous grass with stoloniferous and rhizomiferous

stems bearing ordinary erect leafy branches, and the branches come out

piercing through the leaf-sheath (extravaginal).

Stems are numerous, stiff and erect, 1/2 to 3 feet in length, glabrous,

covered below by brownish or whitish scale-leaves, and above with

densely distichous leaves.

The _leaf-sheath_ is firm, distinctly striate, glabrous, margins ciliate

on both sides up to the point of overlapping and then the outer margin

alone ciliate. The _ligule_ is a short thin membrane with very short

cilia on the free margin. The _nodes_ are glabrous.

The _leaf-blade_ is glaucous, narrow, lanceolate, thinly coriaceous,

acuminate with a hardened tip, 1 to 7 or 9 inches long, 1/2 to 1/4 inch

broad, flat or involute when slightly faded, with a few distantly

scattered hairs above, especially towards the lower portion of the blade

when young, and becoming glabrous later, glabrous on the lower surface,

margin is finely serrate and with a few cilia towards the base, some

hairs being tubercle-based; base of the blade is rounded or cordate,

midrib is prominent and keeled.

[Illustration: Fig. 103.--Panicum repens.

1. Spike; 2 and 3. front and back view of a spikelet; 4, 5 and 6. first,

second and third glumes; 7. palea of the third glume; 8 and 9. fourth

glume and its palea; 10. lodicules, stamens and ovary; 11. leaf showing

ligule.]

The _inflorescence_ is a panicle, contracted and not much exserted from

the topmost leaf-sheath, 3 to 8 inches long, branches are usually many,

erect, the lower being 2 to 5 inches long, slender, angular and

scaberulous.

The _spikelets_ are glabrous, erect, pale or pale green, sometimes

purplish also on one side, ovate-oblong or oblong-lanceolate, acute, 1/8

inch, pedicels are long with cupular tips.

There are four _glumes_ in the spikelet. The _first glume_ is hyaline,

broadly ovate, rounded and shortly acute or subacute, indistinctly 3- to

5-nerved or nerveless, less than one-third of the height of the third

glume. The _second glume_ is membranous, ovate-lanceolate acute, 7- to

9-nerved. The _third glume_ is equal to and broader than the second,

always paleate and with three stamens and 9-nerved; _palea_ is hyaline,

oblong, obtuse or subacute, margins folded. The fourth _glume_ is white,

coriaceous, smooth and shining, oblong, acute, shortly and broadly

stipitate, with the margins folded inwards exposing only a third of the

palea; _palea_ is similar to the glume in texture and marking. _Anthers_

are deep orange in colour. _Lodicules_ are distinct though small.

_Stigmas_ are deep purple when mature, and pale when young.

This grass flourishes in moist situations such as the bunds of paddy

fields, tank beds and edges of marshes and is an excellent binder of the

soil. When once established it is very difficult to get rid of it, on

account of its rhizomes. Owing to the resemblance of the rhizomes to

ginger, some call this grass Ginger-rooted grass. Cattle are fond of

this grass.

_Distribution._--Throughout India, but not so common on the West and not

recorded from Bombay. It is said to occur in South Europe, Australia,

North Africa and Brazil.

5. Chamaeraphis, _Br._

These are glabrous marsh or aquatic grasses. Leaves are linear or

lanceolate. The inflorescence is a panicle. The spikelets are one-to

two-flowered, subsessile and subsecund on the branches which are

produced as awn-like bristles beyond the ultimate spikelet, obscurely

jointed and persistent on their obconic short pedicels, narrowly

lanceolate and terete. The spikelet consists of four glumes. The first

glume is very small, hyaline, suborbicular, nerveless and truncate. The

second glume is the longest, green, membranous, narrowly lanceolate,

acuminate or narrowed into a rigid awn, 7- to 11-nerved. The third glume

is lanceolate, acute, or aristately acuminate, 7-nerved, paleate, male

or neuter, the palea is smaller than the glume and hyaline. The fourth

glume is much smaller than the third, stipitate, bisexual or female,

oblong or ovate-oblong, acute, flat, thinly coriaceous, nerveless and

paleate; the palea is hyaline, as broad as the glume, acute and

nerveless. The lodicules are cuneate. Stamens are three. Stigmas are

laterally exserted. Grain is oblong, compressed.

=Chamaeraphis spinescens, _Poir._=

A glabrous aquatic or marsh grass, with much branched floating stems.

Stems are leafy, elongate, ascending, varying in length from 1 to 3

feet.

The _leaf-sheaths_ are long, smooth, loose, with naked margins. The

_ligule_ is a ridge of hairs. The _nodes_ are glabrous.

The _leaf-blade_ is flat, narrowly linear-lanceolate, smooth or scabrid,

acuminate, base narrowed, 1 to 3-1/2 inches long and 1/16 to 1/8 inch

wide.

The _inflorescence_ is a pyramidal panicle, contracted or diffuse, with

a leaf very near its base; peduncle is short; branches of the panicle,

filiform, angular, flexuous, bearing one or more spikelets and produced

as a bristle beyond the last spikelet.

The _spikelets_ are 1/6 to 1/4 rarely 1/3 inch long including the awn,

subsessile and somewhat on one side on the branches, obscurely

articulate but persistent on the pedicels, pale or green, lanceolate.

There are four glumes in the spikelet. The _first glume_ is hyaline,

suborbicular, rounded at the tip and nerveless, 1/30 inch or less. The

_second glume_ is membranous, lanceolate, smooth or setosely scabrid on

the sides, 9- to 11-nerved, with a long scabrid awn which is sometimes

as long as the body of the glume. The _third glume_ is shorter than the

second, finely acuminate, or awned, 7-nerved, membranous, paleate and

with three _stamens_ and two _lodicules_; the _palea_ is shorter than

the glume, linear-oblong, subacute. The _fourth glume_ is

ovate-lanceolate, nerveless, acute, paleate with three _stamens_,

_ovary_ and two _lodicules_; _palea_ is hyaline, narrow, quarter the

length of the third glume. Grain is obovate oblong.

[Illustration: Fig. 104.--Chamaeraphis spinescens.

1. Terminal portion of a spike showing the bristle; 2, 3, 4 and 6. the

first, second, third and the fourth glume, respectively; 5. palea of

third glume with its anthers and lodicules; 7. palea of the fourth

glume; 8. ovary; 9. lodicules.]

_Distribution._--This plant is found at the edges in ponds, tanks and

marshes all over the Presidency.

6. Spinifex, _L._

This is a stout, rigid, much branched, gregarious and dioecious grass,

flourishing in sand on the sea coast. Leaves are long, narrow rigid,

involute, spreading and recurved and thickly coriaceous. Male spikelets

are 1- to 2-flowered, subsessile, distichous, jointed on rigid peduncled

spikes, which are collected in umbels and surrounded by spathaceous

leafy bracts. The spikelets have four glumes. The first two glumes are

empty. The third and the fourth paleate and triandrous and sometimes the

former is empty. Female spikelets are collected in large globose heads

of stellately spreading very long rigid rod-like processes surrounded by

shorter subulate bracts. Each spikelet is solitary, and articulate at

the very base of a rachis, lanceolate, 1-flowered. There are four

glumes. The first three glumes are as in the male spikelets, but larger.

The third is paleate, empty. The fourth glume has a female flower. The

lodicules are large and nerved. Styles are long, free, with short,

feathery stigmas. Grain free within the hardened glumes.

=Spinifex squarrosus, _L._=

A perennial littoral dioecious grass forming bushes. Stems are glaucous,

smooth, solid, woody, thick below, freely branching, 5 to 10 feet long

or more.

The _leaf-sheath_ is smooth, imbricating, 1/2 to 1-1/2 inches long. The

_ligule_ is a row of stiff long hairs.

The _leaf-blade_ is narrow, rigid, thickly coriaceous, concavo-convex

tapering from the base to the tip, spreading and recurved, 4 to 6 inches

long.

The _male inflorescence_ consists of several spikes, 1 to 3 inches long,

forming umbels, with membranous leafy spathaceous bracts which are

shorter than the spikes.

The _spikelets_ are usually 2-flowered, smooth, articulate on short

peduncles, distichous, 1/3 to 1/2 inch long.

There are four _glumes_. The _first glume_ is shorter than the second,

ovate, obtuse, 7- to 9-nerved. The _second glume_ is similar to the

first, but longer. The _third_ and the _fourth glumes_ are longer than

the second glume, 5- to 7-nerved, paleate and triandrous; _palea_ of

both are lanceolate with ciliate keels.

[Illustration: Fig. 105.--Spinifex squarrosus.

Male plant--1. A branch with the male inflorescence; 2. a spike; 3. a

spikelet; 4, 5, 6 and 7. the first, second, third and the fourth glume,

respectively; 6a. palea of the third glume; 6b. extra palea like

structure found occasionally in the palea of the third glume; 7a. palea

and lodicules of the fourth glume.]

The _female inflorescence_ is a large globose head consisting of short

spikelets articulate at the very base of the rachis, short bracts and

very long, spreading, rigid rod-like rachises. The _spikelets_ are

solitary with four glumes and 2-flowered. The _first glume_ is

oblong-lanceolate, many-nerved, longer than the other glumes. The

_second glume_ is shorter, 7-nerved. The _third glume_ is empty,

5-nerved. The _fourth glume_ is ovate-lanceolate and abruptly narrowed

above the middle, 5-nerved and paleate, palea is shorter than the glume

but broader, 2-nerved and acute. _Lodicules_ are two, large, cuneate at

base and strongly nerved. _Stigmas_ are oblong. Grain is clavate and

tipped by the style base.

This grass grows luxuriantly in the sands near the sea on both the

coasts of the Madras Presidency.

[Illustration: Fig. 106.--Spinifex squarrosus.

Female plant--1. A branch with female inflorescence; 2, 3, 4 and 5. the

first, second, third and the fourth glume, respectively; 6. palea of the

fourth glume; 7. ovary and the lodicules.]

_Distribution._--Throughout the sandy coasts of India and Ceylon.

7. Axonopus, _Beauv._

These are annual or perennial grasses. Inflorescence is a panicle

consisting of digitate or whorled, slender or stout spike-like racemes.

Spikelets are solitary, binate or fasciculate, 2-flowered, jointed on

the pedicel and awned. There are four glumes. The first glume is the

shortest, ovate, acuminate, aristate or cuspidate, hyaline, glabrous and

3-nerved. The second glume is ovate or ovate-lanceolate, acuminate or

awned, 5-nerved, lateral nerves being marginal and hairy. The third

glume is oblong or oblong ovate, acute, 5-nerved, paleate, male; palea

is very short and small, bipartite. The fourth glume is as long as the

third and the second, oblong or ovate, coriaceous, narrowed into a

straight terminal awn, paleate and bisexual; palea is oblong, coriaceous

and 2-nerved. Lodicules are cuneate. Stamens are three with linear

anthers. Stigmas are linear, laterally exserted. Grain is oblong, free

within the hardened glume and its palea.

[Illustration: Fig. 107.--Axonopus cimicinus.]

=Axonopus cimicinus, _Beauv._=

It is a perennial grass. Stems are tufted, erect or slightly decumbent

at the base, 1 to 2 feet long.

The _leaf-sheath_ is distinctly striate, covered with scattered long

tubercle-based hairs, very rarely glabrous, keeled. The _ligule_

consists of a row of hairs. The _nodes_ are hairy.

The _leaf-blade_ is flat, ovate-lanceolate, broad and cordate at base,

subacute or obtuse, with a distinct midrib and three main veins on each

side of it, glabrous on both sides, but usually with tubercle-based

hairs on the two sides of the midrib, on the lower side, the margins are

distinctly ciliate with tubercle-based long stiff hairs and very finely

serrate; the blade varies in length from 3/4 to 3 inches and in breadth

from 3/4 to 1/2 inch.

The _inflorescence_ consists of three to ten spikes springing from the

top of a slender glabrous peduncle 2 to 6 inches long. The _spikes_ are

whorled, about 3 inches or so in length, naked towards the base to about

one-fourth of its length, the rachis is fine, filiform, scabrid.

The _spikelets_ are solitary or binate, dorsally compressed, pale green

or reddish, very shortly pedicelled, 1/4 to 5/16 inch long inclusive of

the short awn, pedicel is cupular at the tip.

There are four _glumes_ in the spikelet. The _first glume_ is somewhat

narrow ovate-lanceolate, hyaline, acuminate and 3-nerved. The _second

glume_ is membranous, ovate-lanceolate, twice as long as the _first

glume_, cuspidately acuminate, 5-nerved; the two marginal nerves are

provided with long reddish bristly hairs. The _third glume_ is oblong

lanceolate, obtuse, 5-nerved, a little shorter than the second glume,

paleate and with stamens; _palea_ is short. The _fourth glume_ is

coriaceous, ovate-lanceolate, nearly as long as the second glume, awned

at the apex, paleate, with three stamens and an ovary; the _palea_ is as

long as the glume, elliptic oblong, obtuse. _Lodicules_ are small,

cuneate.

[Illustration: Fig. 108.--Axonopus cimicinus.

1. A portion of the spike showing spikelets; 2, 3, 4 and 5. the first,

second, third and the fourth glume, respectively; 4a and 5a. the palea

of the third and the fourth glume, respectively; 6. lodicules, stamens

and the ovary.]

This is a common grass growing in the plains and lower hills in waste

places.

_Distribution._--Occurs all over India.

8. Setaria, _Beauv._

These are usually annuals. Inflorescence is usually a spike-like

panicle. Spikelets are 1- to 2-flowered, jointed on very short pedicels

which bear persistent scabrid or barbed bristles (modified branchlets).

There are four glumes. The first glume is the shortest, equal to about

half the length of the third, membranous, 3- to 5-nerved. The second

glume is equal to or shorter than the fourth, 5- to 7-nerved. The third

glume more or less exceeding and resembling the second glume, neuter,

rarely paleate and male. The fourth glume is coriaceous or crustaceous,

plano-convex, bisexual, 5-nerved and paleate; palea is as long as the

glume. Lodicules are broadly cuneate. Stamens are three. Stigmas are

laterally exserted. Grain is tightly enclosed by the hardened glume and

its palea and is oblong or ellipsoid.

KEY TO THE SPECIES.

Bristles with spreading or erect barbs.

Inflorescence cylindric, continuous

and not interrupted, with six to

twelve bristles in the involucel 1. S. glauca.

Inflorescence interrupted, with three

to six bristles in the involucel 2. S. intermedia.

Bristles with reversed barbs 3. S. verticillata.

=Setaria glauca, _Beauv._=

This is a tufted annual grass. Stems are slender, simple or branched,

erect or ascending.

The _leaf-sheaths_ are glabrous. _Nodes_ are glabrous and sometimes the

lower are rooting. The _ligule_ is a fringe of long hairs.

The _leaf-blades_ are lanceolate-linear, flat, finely acuminate, with a

rounded base and very finely and minutely serrate margin, glabrous on

both the surfaces or occasionally sparsely hairy on the upper surface

and varying in length from 4 to 12 inches or more, and in breadth from

1/4 to 1/3 inch.

The _inflorescence_ is a cylindric, densely flowered, spike-like raceme,

1 to 4 inches long, usually yellow, rarely purplish or pale green, the

bristles of involucels vary from six to twelve and are pale or reddish

brown, 1/6 to 1/3 inch long with fine erect or spreading barbs.

The _spikelets_ are numerous and are very closely set along the rachis

of the inflorescence, 1/8 inch long, glabrous and ellipsoidal.

There are four _glumes_ in the spikelet. The _first glume_ is less than

half the length of the third glume, broadly ovate, hyaline, 3-nerved.

The _second glume_ is a little longer than the first but shorter than

the third, broadly ovate or suborbicular, hyaline, 5-nerved. The _third

glume_ is longer than the second, as long as the fourth, membranous and

5-nerved, paleate, empty or with stamens. The _fourth glume_ is

coriaceous, broadly elliptic, obtuse, dorsally convex, transversely

rugose, pale. The _anthers_ are orange and the _styles_ purple.

[Illustration: Fig. 109.--Setaria glauca.

A and B. spikelets; C. a bristle; 1, 2 and 3. The first, second and the

third glume, respectively; 4. palea of the third glume; 5. the fourth

glume; 6. palea of the fourth glume; 7. ovary, anthers and lodicules.]

This is a fairly common grass especially in cultivated ground all over

the Presidency, but not very widely distributed. Cattle are fond of this

grass.

_Distribution._--Throughout India.

=Setaria intermedia, _R. & S._=

This is an annual with straggling, slender, erect or ascending stems, 2

to 3 feet long.

The _leaf-sheath_ is glabrous, keeled, with the margins ciliate with

long hairs. The _ligule_ is a fringe of close set long hairs. The

_nodes_ are glabrous and the lower rooting.

The _leaf-blade_ is linear-lanceolate, narrowed towards the base, finely

acuminate, with fine hairs scattered on both the surfaces and with

numerous long hairs at the mouth and with very finely serrate margins,

varying in length from 2 to 8 inches or more, 1/8 to 3/4 inch in

breadth.

The _inflorescence_ is a narrowly pyramidal spike-like panicle, 4 to 6

inches long, the main rachis is glabrous and grooved, branches are

short, crowded above, scattered and distant below, with close and

densely set spikelets; the bristles of involucels are 1/4 inch long,

slender, flexuous with erect barbs varying in number from three to six.

The _spikelets_ are ovoid.

There are four _glumes_ in the spikelet. The _first glume_ is orbicular,

oblong or ovate, about one-third the length of the third glume, hyaline,

3-nerved. The _second glume_ is half as long as the third, broadly

ovate, hyaline, 5-nerved. The _third glume_ is as long as the fourth,

broadly ovate, thinly membranous, 5-nerved, paleate, empty. The _fourth

glume_ is broadly ovate, or suborbicular, very concave, coriaceous,

transversely rugulose, yellowish brown. _Anthers_ are orange or yellow

and _styles_ purplish. _Lodicules_ are very small.

[Illustration: Fig. 110.--Setaria intermedia.

1. A branch with spikelets; 2 and 2a. spikelets; 3, 4 and 5. the first,

second and the third glume, respectively; 5a. the palea of the third

glume; 6. the fourth glume; 6a. the fourth glume and its palea; 6b.

palea of the fourth glume; 7. ovary, anthers and lodicules.]

Fairly common in rich soils in sheltered places. Cattle are very fond of

this grass as the leaves are flaccid and tender.

_Distribution._--Probably all over India.

[Illustration: Fig. 111.--Setaria verticillata.]

=Setaria verticillata, _Beauv._=

This is an annual grass, with erect, ascending, stout or slender, leafy

stems, more or less branched and varying in length from 1 to 5 feet.

The _leaf-sheaths_ are smooth, glabrous. The _ligule_ is a fringe of

hairs. _Nodes_ are glabrous.

The _leaf-blades_ are thin, flat, glabrous, sparsely hairy and

scaberulous, linear or linear-lanceolate, tapering to a fine point, base

usually narrowed, 4 to 10 inches long and 1/4 to 3/4 inch broad.

The _inflorescence_ is a spike-like or subpyramidal panicle, cylindric

or oblong, coarsely bristly, 2 to 7 inches long, bristles one or few,

studded with conspicuously reversed barbs or teeth, 1/6 to 1/3 inch

long.

The _spikelets_ are ellipsoidal, obtuse, glabrous, 1/12 inch long.

There are four _glumes_. The _first glume_ is very small, broadly ovate,

acute, hyaline, faintly 3-nerved. The _second glume_ is as long as the

spikelet or a little shorter, ovate, subacute, thinly membranous and

5-nerved. The _third glume_ is equal to the second or a little longer,

membranous and 5-nerved, paleate or empty, palea when present, is small

and hyaline. The _fourth glume_ is elliptic-oblong, plano-convex,

subobtuse, smooth or shining, though faintly striate, coriaceous with

incurved margins; _palea_ is coriaceous, as long as the glume, elliptic,

faintly striate. _Stamens_ are three. _Lodicules_ are small.

[Illustration: Fig. 112.--Setaria verticillata.

1 and 2. Spikelets with bristles; 3, 4 and 5. the first, second and the

third glume, respectively; 6. palea of the third glume; 7 and 8. the

fourth glume and its palea; 9. ovary, stamens and lodicules; 10. a bit

of the bristle showing the reversed barbs.]

This grass grows in shady places in very rich soils generally and is

abundant in shady nooks and corners where there are rubbish heaps.

_Distribution._--Throughout India and Ceylon.

9. Pennisetum, _Pers._

These are annual or perennial grasses. Leaves are usually narrow. The

inflorescence is a spike-like raceme consisting of involucellate

clusters of shortly pedicellate spikelets, involucels consist of

unequal, simple or branched bristles. Spikelets are obovoid or

lanceolate, 1- to 2-flowered, persistent on their stalks, one to three

in an involucel. There are usually four glumes in a spikelet. The first

glume is minute or absent. The second glume is shorter than the third,

membranous, 3- to 5-nerved, rarely wanting. The third glume is as long

as the fourth, lanceolate, paleate or not, male or empty. The fourth

glume is coriaceous, lanceolate, bisexual or female. There are three

stamens with linear anthers. Styles long. Lodicules are small if

present. Grain is oblong, free within the hardened fourth glume and its

palea.

KEY TO THE SPECIES

Bristles of the involucel slender and not 1. P. Alopecuros.

dilated at the base, and free; leaves

very long.

Bristles of the involucel dilated below 2. P. cenchroides.

and connate at base.

[Illustration: Fig. 113.--Pennisetum Alopecuros]

=Pennisetum Alopecuros, _Steud._=

This is a perennial grass, densely tufted and growing to a height of 2

to 3-1/2 feet. Stems are stout, erect and much branched above.

The _leaf-sheaths_ are distichous, compressed, glabrous or rarely hairy.

The _leaf-blades_ are convolute, narrow, linear, coriaceous, strongly

keeled, glabrous but with tufts of soft hairs at the base, 12 to 18

inches long, 1/10 to 1/6 inch broad. The _ligule_ is a ring of hairs.

The _inflorescence_ is a spike-like raceme, varying in length from 5 to

7 inches. The involucels are shortly stalked, with a few unequal

bristles which are free down to the base and two to three times as long

as the spikelet.

_Spikelets_ are lanceolate, acute, solitary, 3/8 inch long.

[Illustration: Fig. 114.--Pennisetum Alopecuros.

A and B. Spikelets front and back view; 1, 2, 3 and 4. the first,

second, third and the fourth glume, respectively; 5. palea of the fourth

glume; 6. the ovary, stamens and lodicules.]

The _first glume_ is very small, almost orbicular, hyaline and

nerveless. The _second glume_ is about 1/3 the length of the third

glume, lanceolate, acuminate, 3-nerved. The _third glume_ is about 1/3

inch long, lanceolate, acuminate, 7- to 11-nerved, epaleate and with

infolded margins. The _fourth glume_ is a little longer than the third,

lanceolate, acuminate, with infolded margins 5- or 6-nerved, paleate and

enclosing a complete flower. The _palea_ is lanceolate, acuminate, as

long as the glume. There are three _stamens_ with long, narrow, yellow

anthers. _Stigmas_ are feathery. _Lodicules_ are either absent or very

minute.

This is a very coarse grass usually growing in stiff soils especially

near wet places.

_Distribution._--Occurs all over Southern India both on the plains and

on low hills.

[Illustration: Fig. 115.--Pennisetum cenchroides.]

=Pennisetum cenchroides, _Rich._=

This grass is a perennial. It consists of aerial branches and

underground rhizomiferous stems, bearing thick fibrous roots and

numerous buds covered by scarious sheaths. The aerial branches are

tufted, erect or decumbent and geniculately ascending when in flower,

much branched from the base, 6 to 24 inches long (under favourable

conditions may reach even 3 to 4 feet in length).

The _leaf-sheath_ is slightly compressed, keeled, with scattered long

hairs outside, shorter than the internodes. The _ligule_ is a short thin

membrane fringed with hairs.

The _leaf-blade_ is linear, tapering to a very fine point 1-1/2 to 6

inches (sometimes 18 to 20 inches) by 1/8 to 1/4 inch scaberulous with

fine long tubercle-based deciduous hairs scattered above, and the lower

surface glabrous or with a few distantly scattered fine long hairs,

broad at the base and constricted at the point of junction with the

sheath.

The _inflorescence_ is a raceme of spikes, varying from 1-1/2 to 3-1/2

inches, with the spikes mostly densely arranged, though occasionally

distant and not close-set, on a long; slender, puberulous or scaberulous

peduncle; _rachis_ is flexuous, flattened, grooved and scaberulous. The

_spikes_ have involucels, consisting of two series of bristles, the

outer bristles are horizontal or reflexed, numerous, fine, filiform,

scabrid and purple above, shorter or longer than the spikelets; the

inner bristles are two to three times longer than the spikelets,

flattened and thickened at the base with a strong green nerve, ciliated

with long tubercle-based hairs; one of the bristles is longer than the

others and the bases of the bristles are connate at the very base into a

ring; the upper portion of the bristles are filiform, scabrid and

purple, the lower flattened portion being pale.

[Illustration: Fig. 116.--Pennisetum cenchroides.

1. A portion of a spike; 2 and 3. spikelets with their involucels; 4. a

bristle; 5, 6, 7 and 8. the first, second, third and the fourth glume,

respectively; 7a and 8a. palea of the third and the fourth glume,

respectively; 9. ovary and stamens.]

_Spikelets_ are about 1/5 inch long oblong-lanceolate, one to three in a

spike and sessile.

There are four _glumes_ in a spikelet. The _first glume_ is small,

hyaline, ovate-lanceolate, acute, nerveless or sometimes 1-nerved. The

_second glume_ is a little longer than the first, ovate, acute, about

half of the third glume, hyaline, 1 to 3-nerved. The _third glume_ is

ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, generally 5- to 7-nerved, paleate, usually

male; _palea_ is lanceolate, equal to or slightly shorter than the

glume. The _fourth glume_ is as long as the third with a broad hyaline

margin, 5-nerved paleate; palea as long as the glume. _Anthers_ are

three, yellow, _stigmas_ white, feathery and the styles shortly united

at the base. _Lodicules_ are not present.

This is the famous Kolakattai grass (Tamil) of the Coimbatore District

and it grows in all kinds of soil and is capable of growing even when

the soil is dry. It is readily eaten by cattle, sheep, goat and when

once established is not easily killed out even by prolonged droughts. It

is in flower in June, November and December.

_Distribution._--Fairly common in South India and Western India. Said to

occur in Tropical Africa also.

There is a variety of this grass named _echinoides_. This differs from

the type in the following respects--the inner bristles are united very

much above the base and much thickened and stiffer than in the type.

(See fig. 116-3)

10. Cenchrus, _L._

The inflorescences are spike-like racemes, consisting of involucellate

clusters of shortly pedicelled spikelets jointed on a simple rachis. The

involucel consists of hardened spike-like bristles connate at the base

into a short coriaceous cup, which is surrounded by erect or squarrose

bristles. Spikelets one to three in each involucel, persistent, 1- to

2-flowered, with three or four glumes. The first glume is very small or

absent. The second and the third glumes are subequal 5- to 7-nerved. The

third glume is longer than the second with male flower or not, paleate.

The fourth glume is coriaceous, with a bisexual or female flower.

Lodicules are two. Stamens are three. Styles are long, free or connate

below. Grain is broad, oblong and compressed.

KEY TO THE SPECIES

Base of involucel rounded; inner bristles

shorter, erect, not ciliate 1. C. biflorus.

Base of involucel turbinate, inner bristles

longer, spreading and spinescent, ciliate

at base 2. C. catharticus.

=Cenchrus biflorus, _Roxb._=

This is an annual with erect simple stems, 6 to 24 inches long.

The _leaf-sheath_ is glabrous or nearly so, with hairs at the mouth.

The _leaf-blade_ is linear-lanceolate, finely acuminate, glabrous or

hairy, 3 to 10 inches long and 1/8 to 3/8 inch broad.

The _inflorescence_ is a solitary cylindric raceme of involucels, 2 to 4

inches long, enclosed in the uppermost leaf-sheath; the _rachis_ is

flexuous, angular and smooth. _Involucels_ usually with two, rarely

three spikelets, loosely imbricate, rounded at the base; the inner

bristles are erect, dorsally flat, subulate-lanceolate, puberulous and

with thickened margins, about 1/8 inch long. The outer are shorter than

the inner, glabrous, erect or subsquarrose and as long as the sessile

spikelets.

The _spikelets_ are about 1/6 inch long, sub-globose, with four

_glumes_. The _first glume_ is about 1/10 inch long, ovate-acuminate,

very thin, hyaline, nerveless or rarely 1-nerved. The _second glume_ is

broadly ovate, 1/6 inch long, hyaline, acute, 1-nerved. The _third

glume_ is slightly longer than the second, oblong-ovate, apiculate,

5-nerved and paleate; _palea_ 1/8 inch obtuse. The _fourth glume_ is as

long as the third, ovate, obtuse, paleate. _Anthers_ are three. _Styles_

free almost to the base. The grain is 1/12 by 1/16 inch orbicular

oblong, compressed, smooth and pale brown.

[Illustration: Fig. 117.--Cenchrus biflorus.

1. A portion of the raceme; 2. an involucel; 3, 4, 5 and 7. the first,

second, third and the fourth glume respectively; 6 and 8. palea of the

third and the fourth glumes; 9. the ovary and stamens; 10 grain.]

This grass is not so widely distributed as _Cenchrus catharticus_. It is

confined to some East Coast districts.

_Distribution._--The Punjab, Gangetic plain, Concan, Sind and

Coromandel. Also said to occur in Africa and Arabia.

=Cenchrus catharticus, _Delile._=

A tufted annual grass with geniculately ascending stems, branching at

the base.

The _leaf-sheath_ is glabrous and somewhat inflated. The _ligule_ is a

fringe of hairs. _Nodes_ are glabrous.

The _leaf-blade_ is linear-lanceolate, finely acuminate, 1 to 4 inches

long and 1/8 to 1/4 inch broad.

The _inflorescence_ is usually enclosed in the leaf-sheath, 1 to 6

inches long; the _rachis_ is flexuous, angular and glabrous. The

involucels are 1/4 to 1/2 inch across, turbinate or truncate at base

with an outer, shorter and inner longer series of hard, sharp, pungent

spines; the inner subulate, dorsally deeply grooved, very much longer

than the spikelets; margins ciliate to about half the distance from the

base, and the upper half covered with very short, sharp and stiff,

reflexed hairs; the outer are shorter than the spikelets, spreading or

erect, glabrous or nearly so and covered with reflexed hairs.

The _spikelets_ are usually one to two and rarely three in an involucel

and each one has four _glumes_. The _first glume_ is lanceolate and

nerveless or ovate-lanceolate and 1-nerved, half as long as the third

glume, hyaline and acute. The _second glume_ is about 1/6 inch long,

ovate, acute, membranous, 5-nerved. The _third glume_ is similar to the

second, paleate; _palea_ is lanceolate and short. The _fourth glume_ is

as long as the third, cuspidately acuminate, membranous, 5-nerved and

paleate; _palea_ is ovate, as long as the glume. _Stamens_ are three.

_Styles_ are free and long with plumose stigmas. The grain is

ovoid-oblong, brown and compressed.

[Illustration: Fig. 118.--Cenchrus catharticus.

1. A portion of the spike; 2. an involucel with two spikelets; 3, 4, 5

and 7. the first, second, third and the fourth glume respectively; 6 and

8. palea of the third and the fourth glume respectively; 9. the ovary

and stamens; 10. grain.]

This grass is more common than _C. biflorus_ and is found on the East

Coast districts in open sandy places.

_Distribution._--Nellore, Bellary, the Punjab and the Gangetic Plains.