836 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Ocl. 2, 1908. , 



Useful Australian Plants, 



J. H. MAIDEN, . 

 (Government Botanist and Director, Botanic Gardens, Sydney. 



No. 97. Eriachue ohtusa, 11. Br., variety (jlahrata ; new 



variety. 



Botanical Name. — Eriachne, already exi)lained, this Gazette, .Januarv, 190-"), 

 page 26 ; ohtusa, Latin, blunt, or obtuse, referring to the appearance of tha 

 spikelets when in fruit. 



Brown, in his original descrij)tion (Prodnrnms 1S4), speaks of "ylumis 

 glabriuKculis acutissimis perianthio obtKHinsculo brevioribus." 



This obtuse appearance is well brought out in the figure of the normal form 

 figured in this Gazette for -January, 1891, page 27, in which a specimen, 

 probably of dry country origin, is depicted. 



It will be observed that, in the new variety now figured, the spikelets have 

 a more acute appearance. 



Botanical Desc7'iption (B.Fl. vii, 632). — A variable grass, usually I to 2 

 feet high, often branched in the lower part. 



Leaves narroM', Hat, or subulate, glabrous, or the lower sheaths sprinkled with 

 rigid hairs. 



Panicle loose, sometimes much-branched and 4 inches long, sometimes almost 

 reduced to a raceme of half-a-dozen spikelets. 



Spikelets ovoid, about 2 lines long, appearing acute when young, assuming tlie obtuse 

 aspect wiien in fruit. 



Outer (jlumcs membranous, acute, with fewer nerves than in most species (usually 

 five) sprinkled on the back and ciliate with a few huig hairs, rarely (juite 

 glabrous. 



Floweritiij ij/iuvis about as long, more obtuse, rarely with a inituite point, densely 

 ciliate to the top, and sprinkled on the back with spreading hairs. 



Pa/ea entire, slightly hairy. 



Grain much flattened. 



Value as a Fodder. — " A fairly good pasture grass, suitable for sheep ; it is 

 variable as to height, but generally branches much fi-om the l)ase, and befoie 

 seeding makes a good leafy bottom.'' (Bailey.) 



Mr. P. Corbett, of near Wilcannia, calls it "No. 8 Wire Grass," which 

 sums up his view as to the value to pastoralists of the normal form. 



The variety is rather a wir}' grass and although it is eaten by \\ andoing 

 stock, it is too scarce to pi'onounce an authoritative opiin'oii in regai'd to its 

 fodder- value. 



Habitat and Range. — Found in all the States, except Tasmania and 

 Victoria. Believed to be exclusively an interioi' specifs until discovered in 

 1897 in the Port .Jackson district. 



