2 SOUTH INDIAN GRASSES 



fibrous roots all springing from the bases of the stems. In addition 

 to this crown of fibrous roots, there may be roots at the nodes of 

 some of the prostrate branches. The stems and branches are short 

 at first, and leaves arise on them one after the other in rapid succes- 

 sion. After the appearance of a fair number of leaves the stem 

 elongates gradually and it finally ends in an inflorescence. 



Fig. i. — Panicum javanicum. (Full plant.) 



The stem consists of nodes and internodes. The internodes 

 are cylindrical and somewhat flattened on the side towards the 

 axillary bud. When young they are completely covered by the 

 leaves and the older ones have only their lower portions covered 

 by the leaf-sheaths. Usually they complete their growth in length 

 very soon, but the lower portion of the internode, just above the 

 node and enclosed by the sheath, retains its power of growth for 

 some time. 



The leaf consists of the two parts, the lcaf-sheath and the leaf- 

 blade. At the junction of these two parts there is a very thin 



