288 SOUTH INDIAN GRASSES 



4 1. Pap pophorum, Nees. 



This is a perennial grass. Spikelets are contracted spiciform 

 panicles, I- to 3-flowered, rachilla is jointed at the base. There are 

 5 to 7 glumes in the spikelet. The first and the second glumes are 

 membranous, keeled 3- to many-nerved, persistent. The third and 

 the fourth glumes are much shorter (excluding the awns) than the 

 first two, coriaceous, orbicular, concave, obscurely many-nerved, 

 cleft into nine or more equal or alternately longer long-ciliate erect 

 awns. The fourth and the subsequent glumes are imperfect and 

 they get gradually smaller and smaller, the last glume being re- 

 presented only by a rudimentary glume with three awns. Lodicules 

 are dolabriform and two. Stamens are three. Styles are free. 

 Grain is obovoid or oblong, free. 



