106 FLORA OF ST. CROIX AND THE VIRGIN ISLANDS. 



891. Lappago aliena, Spreng. 



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

 I^ear 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 (Beestou Hill Grange). 



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



Fl. Julj-Oct. 2'-4' high. Used for thatching roofs. Kot eaten by 

 the cattle. Gregarious on high hills, where it is difiicult 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. 8'-lG' high. Naturalized and cultivated for herbage and 

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

 Vieques. 



895. Sacchanim oflBcinarum, 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 tew cane estates, i^rincipally for selling the 

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

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

 gated by cuttings that are laid entirely under ground. 



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

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

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



CYPEKACE^. 



896. Cyperus polystachyus, Rottb. 



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



897. C. laevigatus, L. (Cod. p. 61) (C, mucronatus, Kottl>.). 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, S\v. 



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

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



