78 SOUTH TNDIAN GRASSES 



nerve (7-to 9-nerved at the tip), hairs on nerves, a few tubercled. 

 The third glume is similar to the second, broadly ovate-lanceolate, 

 awned, awn % to H inch, paleate with usually three stamens, 

 occasionally neuter. Lodicules are present. The fourth glume is 

 chartaceous, shining, smooth ovate-oblong, apex cuspidate, with a 

 few hairs on the edges at the apex, faintly 5-nerved. The anthers 

 within this glume come out before those of the third glume. 

 Anthers are three, yellowish and lodicules are conspicuous though 

 small. 



In this grass very often, purple streaks or bands occur across 

 the leaf blades and the sheath and the spikelets become purple on 

 one side as is met with in P. colonum. This grass is occasionally 

 found in the paddy fields either alone, or along with Panicum 

 Crus-galli. 



Distribution. — Throughout the Madras and the Bombay Presi- 

 dencies and in Ceylon in wet places especially in cultivated 

 ground and in ditches. Occurs more or less throughout India. 



