(14 SOUTH INDIAN GRASSES 



9. Pennisetum, Pers. 



These are annual or perennial grasses. Leaves are usually 

 narrow. The inflorescence is a spike-like raceme consisting of 

 involucellate clusters of shortly pedicellate spikelets, involucels 

 consist of unequal, simple or branched bristles. Spikelets are 

 obovoid or lanceolate, I- to 2-flowered, persistent on their stalks, 

 one to three in an involucel. There are usually four glumes in a 

 spikelet. The first glume is minute or absent. The second glume 

 is shorter than the third, membranous, 3- to 5-nerved, rarely 

 wanting. The third glume is as long as the fourth, lanceolate, 

 paleate or not, male or empty. The fourth glume is coriaceous, 

 lanceolate, bisexual or female. There are three stamens with 

 linear anthers. Styles long. Lodicules are small if present. 

 Grain is oblong, free within the hardened fourth glume and its 

 palea. 



Key to the Species 



Bristles of the involucel slender and not I. P. Alopecuros. 

 dilated at the base, and free; leaves 

 very long. 



Bristles of the involucel dilated below 2. P, cenchroides. 

 and connate at base, 



