106 FLORA OF ST. CROIX AND THE VIRGIN ISLANDS. 



891. Lappago aliena, Spreng. 



Fl. May-Dec. Stigmas white. Generally both spikelets fertile. 

 Near ditches and in thickets, common. All islands. 



892. .Andropogon saccharoides, L. 



Fl. Aug.-Oct. Anthers light yellow; stigmas dark purple. Awn not 

 twisted. Along roads, here and there. St. Croix (Beeston Hill Grange). 



893. Anatherum bicorne, P. Br. (v. Jolly Grass). 



Fl. July-Oct. 2 / -4 / high. Used for thatching roofs. Not eaten by 

 the cattle. Gregarious on high hills, where it is difficult to counteract 

 its spreading, even by burning it now and then. St. Thomas (northern 

 slope of the highest ridge). 



894. Sorghum vulgare, Pers. (v. Guinea Corn). 



Fl. Dec. S'-W high. Naturalized and cultivated for herbage and 

 for making flour of the grain. All islands, principally St. Croix and 

 Vieques. 



895. Saccharum officinarum, L. (v. Sugar-cane). 



Fl. Dec-May. Naturalized and cultivated. Sugar-growing islands 

 are now only two, viz., St. Croix and Vieques, whilst the other Virgin 

 Islands have only a very few cane estates, principally for selling the 

 raw cane in the markets. The average produce of sugar from both the 

 above-mentioned islands is about 25 million pounds. The plant is propa- 

 gated by cuttings that are laid entirely under ground. 



(The genus Panicum excepted, all Graminacece are proterogynous.) 

 [Cultivated species: Andropogon Schcenanthns , L. (v. Lemon-grass), 

 Zea Mays, L. (v. Indian Corn), and Coix Lacryma, L. (v. Job's Tears).] 



CYPERACE^;. 



896. Cy penis polystachyus, Rottb. 



Fl. July. On high hills, rare. St, Thomas (Crown, 1500'). 



897. C. laevigatas, L. (Cod. p. 61) (C. mucronatus, Rottb.). a) albidus. 



Fl. March-Oct. Connective pointed. Along rivulets, not uncom- 

 mon. St. Croix ; St. Thomas (Schl., Bockeler). 



898. C. compressus, L. 



Fl. Dec. Flowers 2-androus. Near the coast in moist places, uncom- 

 mon. St. Thomas (Haven Sight). 



899. C. confertus, Sw. 



Fl. Dec. In thickets, here and there. St. Thomas (Cowell's Hill) j 

 St. Croix (Gris. Fl. 5G3). 



