PANICE^ 63 



it is very small, hyaline and empty. The third glume is shorter 

 than the first and the second glumes, thinly coriaceous, punctate, 

 oblong, obtuse, pale, faintly 3- to 5-nerved with a short scaberulous 

 awn, paleate ; palca is oblong, similar to the glume in texture, 

 margin infolded. Anthers are three, linear, pale yellow. Stigmas 

 are feathery, white when young and purple later. Lodicnles are 

 two and distinct. 



This is a common succulent grass growing in large or small 

 tufts in moist situations such as sides of water channels, rivulets 

 and bunds of paddy fields- It is very much liked by cattle. This 

 grass is easily recognized by the silky lanceolate spikelets which 

 have a purple thickening at the base. 



Distribution. — Plains of India and Ceylon and in all hot 

 countries. 



