236 SOUTH INDIAN GRASSES 



The spikelets are small, 1/20 to 1/16 inch subsessileor pedicelled, 

 always appressed to the rachis solitary in the upper portions of 

 the branches, and two to five on the branchlets in the lower portion, 

 pale, green or rarely copper coloured, oblong or lanceolate, acute 

 or acuminate, caducous or glumes one and two persistent. 



There are three glumes. The first glume is very small, hyaline, 

 ovate, obtuse, occasionally truncate or acute, about one-fifth of the 

 third glume or less. The second glume is membranous, ovate or ob- 

 long-lanceolate, acute or acuminate, thinly scaberulous and I-nerv- 

 ed. The third glume is as long as or a little shorter than the second 

 glume, I-nerved and paleate. The palea is as long as the glume, 

 oblong, 2-nerved, splitting in two portions between the nerves as 

 soon as the grain is formed. Stamens are three with reddish 

 purple anthers ; stigmas are white at first, but turning brown while 

 withering. Lodicules are two, minute. The grain is oblong, 

 pale, brown and obtuse at both ends, embryo about % of the grain. 



This grass flourishes in all kinds of soils all over the Presi- 

 dency. 



Distribution. — Throughout the plains of India and Ceylon. Also 

 in Afghanistan and South Africa. 



