3. Paspalum.] 97. GRAMI17EM. [4. Panicum 



sub-equal membranous with one central and two marginal green nerves, IV 

 crustaceous in frnit with inflexed margins. 

 The grain is eaten. 



4. Panicum, L. 



A large genus of grasses of various habit , a great number 

 very common as meadow grasses in the rainy season. The 

 genus is fairly easily recognized by its 4 glumes of which I 

 is always very small and fewer nerved than the others, II 

 and III usually sub-equal 3-many nerved, III sometimes with 

 a M. flower. IV paleate and 2-sexual becoming hard in fruit 

 and its edges usually wrapping round the hardened pale. • One 

 section closely resembles Paspalum, in another the inflorescence 

 is a large effuse panicle. An awn is absent (exc. in P. 

 Cras-galli) the branches of the panicle are however some- 

 times produced into an awn-like bristle. 



The following are the most striking, common or useful ; — 



A. Spikelets arranged much as in Paspalum. Gl. I 



present but very small. 



1. P. flavidurn, Betz. A very common grass erect from a geniculate 

 creeping base. Stem flattened. L. glabrous, ligule 0, represented by long 

 hairs. Spikes on panicle erect distant much shorter than the internodes 

 about 1*. Spikelets 2-seriate. CH. IV minutely rugose. 



2. P. punctatum, Burm , is somewhat similar but spikes only |* and 

 internodes not much longer, stem copiously branched from the creeping 

 base. Tip of spike excurrent seciform. Spikelets sub-globose. Glumes 

 sub-orbicular. IV granulate as also is the hardened pale. 



3. P. javanicum, Poir. Creeping and ascending 1-2 ft. high with 

 leaves 6-7" by J-l* broad with cordate base, ciliate sheaths, bearded 

 ligule and conspicuous pubescent nodes. Spikelets l-3eriate or in unequally 

 pedicelled pairs not closely appressed to the rachis. Spikes |-2" long 

 conspicuous from the long hairs on the pedicels of the spikelets. Gl. TV 

 hard rugulose white apiculate. 



4. P. Crus-galli, L. 1-3 ft. high, frequent in moist ground, with 

 several secund spikes 1-3'' long and spikelets 3-4-nate on the rachis. 

 Easily recognized by the awned Gl. III. Gl. IV shining white. 



B. Spikelets very many crowded on a spike-like inflores- 

 cence (a panicle with very close reduced lateral branches). 



5. P. myosur oides, Br., is a very slender grass 3-4 ft. growing in 

 marshes with shining striate stems, loose glabrous leaf-sheaths, short flat 



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