f02 • TRIANDRIA DIGYNIA. . Pfinicntli, 



Sect. 5th. Spikes alternate on all sides of a common rachis. 



eg. P. setigerim. linn. Sp. VI. ed. Willd. i. 338. 



Culms, below creeping, sub-ligneous. Leaves \\\\\ cordate base 

 and ciliate margins. Insertions of ilie spikelels mid Jlozcers bristlj. 

 Carol three-valved. Seed oval, trc^nsversely rugose. 



Ben<T. BMra-ial-uant/. 



P. seti^eniin. Reiz. Obs. iv. 15. 



Grows aii\ongst bushes or under the shade of trees. 



Culms long, straggling, rooting when they rest on the ground, firm, 

 almost woody towards the base, but small, and very smooth ; joints 

 downy. — Leaves sheathing, broad-cordate at the base, tapering Irom 

 thence to the point ; margins ciliate, and waved; mouths of the 

 sheaths bearded. — Sj.ikes compound. Spikelets from four to twent) ; 

 secund, spreading, disposed equally on all sides. Rachis, com- 

 mon four, tive, or six-sided, partial three-sided. — 77wct/s paired ; 

 pairs alternate, in two rows, one sessde, one pediceiled, intermixed 

 Nvith many long strong hairs, like an involucre.— C'tf/ya', the two in- 

 ner gluipes downy and striated lengthways with many green nerves. 

 — Corol, the neuter membranaceous valve always present, but no sta- 

 mens. — Seed oval, transversely rugose, 



Obs. When exposed to the weather, the leaves are of a smooth 

 shining deep green, when under trees, of a pale colour, soft, and 

 somewhat downy, which made me long think they were different 

 S])ecies. Cattle are fond of it. 



30. P. repens. Linn. Sp. PI. ed. WiUd i. 347. 



Creeping. Leaves broad, waved, base cordate, stem-clasping, and 

 ciliate. Spikes from four to ten, equally disposed on all sides. Fluzo- 

 ers awnless ; involucre l.airy. Corol three-valved. 



P. repens. Barm. Ind. t. W.f. 1. is like this, oidy the partial spikes 

 are rather too long, and the leaves too narrow. 



Common about the beginning of the rains on cultivated land, in 

 gardens, &,c. near Calcutta. It is a pretty, cespitose species which 

 ^aV.\c are fond of. 



