AGROSTIDE/E 



229 



Aristida funicolata, Trin. & Rup. 



This is a slender annual grass with geniculately ascending 

 stems, radiating on all sides. The stems vary in length from 10 

 to 20 inches. 



The leaf-sheath is glabrous and cylindrical. The ligule is a 

 short membrane ciliate at the margin, or a close set fringe of 

 hairs. 



The leaf-blade is flat or convolute, narrowly linear-acuminate, 

 with long scattered hairs on the upper surface and tufts of long 

 hairs at the mouth, and varying in length from 2 to 6 inches and in 

 breadth from 1 20 to 1 12 inch. 



The inflorescence is a narrow, lax panicle with short, erect, 



capillary branches. The spike- 

 lets vary in length Irom }/> to 

 y% inch. 



There are three glumes. The 

 first glume is linear-lanceolate, 

 acute and terminating in an awn, 

 i-nerved and varying in length 

 from Y\ to % inch. The second 

 glume is similar to the first, but 

 narrower and shorter, Y 2 inch 

 or longer. The third glume is very 

 short, and is prolonged towards 

 the apex as a narrow firmly con- 

 volute strap forming a twisted 

 column of about an inch jointed 

 at the base, and this ends in three 

 slender scabrid awns of about 

 iK inch, the middle one being 

 longer. The glume just below 

 the joint is finely scabrid to a 

 little distance. The palea is short. 

 Anthers are small, purple. The 

 style branches are also purple. 

 Lodicules are oblong, obliquely 

 truncate at the apex and about 

 1 10 inch long. The grain is 

 cylindric. 



Found in open dry situation in 

 several places, but not widely 

 distributed. 



Distribution. — From the Punjab to Concan and Madras Presi- 

 dencv, Arabia, Baluchistan and Tropical Africa. 



KlG. 177. — Aristida funiculata. 



1. A spikelet ; 2, 3 and 4. the first, 

 second and the third glume, respective- 

 ly ; 5. a portion of the column at the 

 top and the basal portions of the awns : 



6. the ovary, lodicules and the stamens ; 



7. palea of the third glume. 



