278 TRiANDRTA DiGTNiA.. Andropogon. 



34. A. Schtsnanthis. Linn. Sp. PL ed. Willd. iv. 915. 



Perennial, erect. Panicle sub-secund, linear, leafy ; spike/efs 

 thereof paired, on a common, spathed pedicel, with proper pedicels 

 and spathes \Jiowers of both sorts awnless, the male corol one-valv- 

 ed. 



Sans. JTToTTfjnr^' Malatrm/<kimg, W^lff, Bhoostrmwng. 



Beng. Gi/ndhfl-benfl. 



Ramacciam. Rheed. Hort. mal. IC p. 137. t. 72. 



Schoenanthum amboinicum. Rnmph. amb. 5. p. 181. t.7Q..f. 2. 



Schoenanthus, or Juncus odoralus of the Materia Medica. 



On the Coast I have only found this elegant valuable species in 

 a state of cultivation, few gardens being without it ; I have but 

 twice found it in flower and both times during the rainy season.* 



Root perennial, young propagating-shoots issue from the axils of 

 the leaves that sunound a short, sub-ligneous leaf-bearing culm. — 

 Culms from five to seven feet high, erect, simple, sn.ooth, about as 

 thick as a goose quill. — Leaves many, near the root bifarious, few 

 on the upper part of the culm, of a soft texture, pale green co- 

 lour, slightly scabrous on the margins when drawn backward 

 against the fingers, otherwise smooth ; from three to four feet long 

 including their sheaths, and about three-quarters of an inch broad. 

 Floral leaves small. — Panicle linear, a little bent to one side, com- 

 posed of many fascicles of spikes that are both terminal, and from 

 the exterior axils. — Spikes generally paired on a common pedun- 

 cle, with a common boat-like spathe, or involucre at the division ; 

 each has also its proper pedicel, and both spathe-shaped. Rac/iis 

 articulated, much waved, hairy. — Flowers in pairs, one hermaphro- 

 dite and-sessile, the other male and pedicelied ; the lastheralaphro- 

 dile flower of each spike has two males ; below, only one male, as 

 the racltis occupies the place of the other ; this is the case w ilh most 

 of the species of the genus. 



Hermaphrodite Flowers sessile. Glume girt at the base 

 with wool, &.C. as in the family, — Corol two-valved, awnless. Nec-^ 



• In the North of Bengal large tracts of waste land are covered with it. Ei. 



