116 



SOUTH INDIAN GRASSES 



Pennisetum Alopecuros, Steud. 



This is a perennial grass, densely tufted and growing to a 

 height of 2 to 3% feet. Stems are stout, erect and much branched 

 above. 



The leaf-sheaths are distichous, compressed, glabrous or rarely 

 hairy. 



The leaf-blades are convolute, narrow, linear, coriaceous, strongly 

 keeled, glabrous but with tufts of soft hairs at the base, 12 to 18 

 inches long, 1/10 to 1/6 inch broad. The ligule is a ring of hairs. 



The inflorescence is a spike-like raceme, varying in length from 

 5 to 7 inches. The involucels are shortly stalked, with a few 

 unequal bristles which are free down to the base and two to three 

 times as long as the spikelet. 



Spikelets are lanceolate, acute, solitary, % inch long. 



Fig Il4.--Pennisetum Alopecuros. 



A and B. Spikelets front and back view ; 1, 2, 3 and 4. the first, second, third and 

 the fourth glume, respectively ; 5. palea of the fourth glume; 6. the ovary, stamens and 

 lodicules. 



The first glume is very small, almost orbicular, hyaline and 

 nerveless. The second glume is about Vz the length of the third 

 glume, lanceolate, acuminate, 3-nerved. The third glume is about 

 Y^ inch long, lanceolate, acuminate, 7- to Il-nerved, epaleate and 

 with infolded margins. The fourth glume is a little longer than 

 the third, lanceolate, acuminate, with infolded margins 5-. or 6- 

 nerved, paleate and enclosing a complete flower. The palea is 

 lanceolate, acuminate, as long as the glume. There are three 

 stamens with long, narrow, yellow anthers. Stigmas are feathery. 

 Lodicules are either absent or very minute. 



This is a very coarse grass usually growing in stiff soils 

 especially near wet places. 



Distribution. — Occurs all over Southern India both on the plains 

 and on low hills. 



