PANICKY Il9 



Spikelets are about 1/5 inch long oblong-lanceolate, one to three 

 in a spike and sessile. 



There are four glu mes in a spikelet. The first glume is small, 

 hyaline, ovate-lanceolate, acute, nerveless or sometimes i-nerved. 

 The second glume is a little longer than the first, ovate, acute, about 

 half of the third glume, hyaline, I to 3-nerved. The third glume is 

 ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, generally 5- to 7-nerved, paleate, 

 usually male ; palea is lanceolate, equal to or slightly shorter than 

 the glume. The fourth glume is as long as the third with a broad 

 hyaline margin, 5-nerved paleate ; palea as long as the glume. 

 Anthers are three, yellow, stigmas white, feathery and the styles 

 shortly united at the base. Lodicules are not present. 



This is the famous Kolakattai grass (Tamil) of the Coimbatore 

 District and it grows in all kinds of soil and is capable of growing 

 even when the soil is dry. It is readily eaten by cattle, sheep, 

 goat and when once established is not easily killed out even by 

 prolonged droughts. It is in flower in June, November and 

 December. 



Distribution. — Fairly common in South India and Western India. 

 Said to occur in Tropical Africa also. 



There is a variety of this grass named echinoides. This differs 

 from the type in the following respects — the inner bristles are 

 united very much above the base and much thickened and stiffer 

 than in the type. (See fig. 116-3.) 



