FORAGE PLANTS. gi 
A robust perennial, and one of the tallest of our tropical 
grasses. The flower-stalks attain a height of eight to twelve feet, 
and are hard and cane-like, but a quantity of leafy feed is produced 
at their base. Its strong and wiry roots penetrate from two to 
three feet into the ground. Cattle and horses are extremely fond 
of it. This plant is not endemic in Australia. 
Queensland and Northern Australia. 
84. Hierochloa alpina, Rem. et Schult. (Syn. H. borealis 
Schroeder ; H. odoratus, Linn.; H. Frasert, Hook.); B.FI., 
vii.. 559, where it is given var. Prasert of HX. redolens. 
H. redolens in Muell. Cens., p. 132. 
“Holy Grass.” 
This is a very sweet scented grass. Much historical interest 
is attached to this species in some parts of Europe, from a long- 
prevailing custom of strewing it before churches on certain festivals. 
In Sweden it is hung over beds, in the belief that it induces sleep ; 
and in Iceland it is used to scent the clothes and apartments of 
the inhabitants. According to Cuthbert W. Johnson, its nutritive 
qualities are greater than in most of the early spring grasses; but 
from the paucity of its foliage it cannot be recommended in 
agriculture. From this opinion it may be concluded that this 
species will be valuable in the sub-alpine pastures of New Zealand 
as an early and nutritious food, and, from its small growth, be well 
adapted for sheep. (Buchanan, J/udigenous Grasses of New 
Zealand). 
In Tasmania, Victoria, and New South Wales. 
85. Hierochloa redolens, &.2r., (Syn. H. antarctica, R.Br.; 
Hlolcus redolens, Forst.; Melica magellanica, Desv.; Dis- 
arrhenum antarcticum, Labill.; Zorresta redolens, Brown) ; 
B.FI., vii., 558. (A/verocloe in Muell. Cens.) 
“«Scented Grass.” 
A tall, perennial, nutritious grass, with the odour of Coumarin. 
It is worthy of dissemination on moist pasture land. These 
grasses are particularly valuable for their fragrance as constituents 
