62 



THE TRUE GRASSES 



interrupted by leaves. Flowering glume usually two- 

 toothed, strongly awned. About forty species in the 

 tropics of the Old World (very few in America). Pre- 

 dominating grasses of the savannas of tropical Africa. 

 A. Nardus L. (Fig. 19), in Ceylon and Hindostan, also 



Fig. 19.— Andropogon Nardus L. (After Bentley et Trimen, " Medicinal Plants.") 



cultivated, has very large panicles, and is in all parts, 

 especially the spikelets, rich in a volatile oil, which 

 when distilled is known in commerce as Citronella oil ; 

 the closely related A. Schcenanthus L., distinguished by 

 a longitudinal furrow in the lower third of the first 

 empty glume, is the source of Lemon-grass oil. Both 

 are used as stimulants and anti-spasmodics for neuralgia 

 and rheumatism, and are also employed in the adultera- 

 tion of oil of roses. One variety of A. Schcenanthus is 

 highly valued by the negroes for stopping hemorrhages. 

 A. laniger Desf., from North Africa to India, furnishes 

 Herba Schcenanthi or Junci odorati, and A. Iwarancusa 



