FESTUCACE/E 



307 



Eragrostis bifaria, Wight Ex Steud. 



This is a densely tufted perennial grass. Stems are simple, 

 erect, glabrous, somewhat compressed, I to 3 feet high, and the 

 base clothed with the old remains of the leaf-sheaths. 



The leaf-sheath is scaberulous, keeled. The ligule is a line of 

 fine hairs. 



The leaf-blade is wiry, narrow, linear, flexuous, rigid, acute, 

 smooth, flat or complicate, keeled, 2 to 3 inches long and up to 1/6 

 inch wide. 



The spikes are solitary, 10 to 12 inches long bearing spikelets 

 unilaterally. 



Fig. 227. — Eragrostis bifaria. 

 I and la. Spikelets ; 2. and 3. empty glumes ; 4 and 5. 



th. 



flowering glume and its palea ; 6. the ovary, stamens and the lodicules. 



The spikelets are ovate or ovoid to oblong, much compressed, 

 usually 15- to 20-flowered and up to 40 and then linear, Y\ to 2 /z 

 inch long, spreading, green or olive grey. The empty glumes are 

 one-nerved and keeled. The first glume is longer than the second 

 glume, very acute or acuminate. The second glume is smaller than 

 the first, with stout rounded keel. The flowering glumes are as 

 long or slightly shorter than the first glume, broadly ovate, sub- 

 acuminate, with faint nerves and paleate ; palea is shorter than its 

 glume and with ciliate wings to the keel. Stamens are three. 

 Grain is free. 



This grass is very common in the plains in somewhat wet 

 situations all over the Presidency. 



Distribution. — Deccan Peninsula in India and also in Tropical 

 Africa. 



