104 AUSTRALIAN NATIVE PLANTS, 
128. Pappophorum nigricans, &.Br., (Syn. P. commune, F.v.M. ; 
P. pallidum, R.Br.; P. purpurascens, R. Br.; P. gracile, 
R.Br. ; P. cwrulescens, Gaud. ; P. flavescens, Lindl. ; P. virens, 
Lindl.) ; B.FI., vii., 601. P. commune in Muell. Cens., p. 133. 
Widely dispersed over the continent of Australia, also in some 
parts of Asia and Africa. Perennial; regarded as a very fattening 
pasture grass, although the flower spikes are of a wiry nature. It 
is useful for arid localities. It is a somewhat coarse species, 
growing on sandhills plentifully; but it is not much eaten by stock 
when other grass is available. Seeds in October and November. 
All the colonies except Tasmania. 
129. Paspalum brevifolium, //ig., (Syn. Panicum tenuiflorum, 
R.Br.) ; B.FI., vii., 461. 
Stems erect and slender from a creeping root; will stand on 
high land; produces a fair amount of feed and plenty of seed. 
Northern Australia, Queensland, and New South Wales. 
130. Paspalum distichum, Zzvz., (Syn. P. /¢ttorale, R.Br.) ; B.FI., 
vii., 460. 
“ Sea-side Millet,” ‘‘ Water Couch,” ‘‘ Silt Grass.” 
A creeping, rapid-growing, succulent grass, found growing in 
swampy land, sometimes in water, producing in the summer 
months a quantity of feed; is a poor grass for making hay, as it 
turns black in drying. Horses and cattle eat it readily. It 
supplies valuable food for stock in localities where species of value 
are never abundantly found. It is beautifully green throughout 
the year, and offers a sufficiently tender blade for feed; is excep- 
tionally adapted to cover silt or bare slopes on banks of ponds or 
rivers, where it grows grandly; moderate submersion does not 
destroy it, but frost injures it ; it thrives well also on salt marshes, 
Queensland, New South Wales, and Western Australia. 
131. Paspalum scrobiculatum, Z7uz., (Syn. P. orbiculare, Forst.; 
P. polystachyum, R.Br.; P. pubescens, R.Br.; P. metabolon 
Steud,) ; B.F1., vii., 460. 
“Ditch Millet.” The ‘‘ Koda Millet” of India. ‘‘ Hureek.” 
