169 
“The largest panicles form very ornamental plumes, almost equal to 
those of Arwndo donax, so much cultivated for ornamental purposes.” 
(Vasey.) 
“ Sandals are made from the stems in Lodak, India.” (Duthie.) 
In addition to the above uses, Hackel observes that the culms are 
used for the mouthpieces of musical instruments, weavers’ spools, &c., 
and an infusion of the root is used as a diuretic. 
“In Mexico where the plant grows 20 to 25 feet high (near the 
water), the stems are used for various purposes by the natives accord- 
ing to Dr. E. Palmer, who says they cut it into certain lengths, and, 
haying split it, beat it flat and then weave it in and out, making a large 
square mat, with which they form the ends of their houses. They 
place it over the rafters before the tule thatch is put on. It is also 
used to cover verandahs and as screens for doors.’ (Dodge.) 
Habitat and range—In swampy localities, all over the Colony. Found 
in all the other Colonies, and in many countries of the Old and New 
World. 
86. DISTICHLIS. 
Spikelets several-flowered, dicecious, shortly pedicellate in a narrow 
panicle often reduced to two or three spikelets, the rhachis glabrous, 
articulate between the flowering glumes—at least in the females. 
Outer empty glumes narrow, keeled. 
Flowering glumes broader, keeled, many-nerved, all acute, unawned. 
Palea folded, the keels very prominent or narrowly winged. 
Stamens in the males three, without any or with a small rudimentary 
ovary. 
Staminodia in the females very rare. 
Lodicules broad. 
Ovary glabrous, tapering into two rather long styles with exserted 
stigmas. 
Grain obovoid or elliptical, free, with a thick spongy pericarp. 
1. Distichlis maritima, Rafin. 
Botanical name.—Distichlis—Greek, distichos, of two rows, refer- 
ring to the leaves which are so placed ; maritima—Latin, belonging to 
the sea, this being a coast grass. 
Synonym.—Festuca distichophylla, Hook. f. 
Vernacular names.—“ Salt-grass ” and ‘ Alkaline-grass” of the 
United States ; “ Spike-grass” and “ Quack-grass” are also American 
names. The first two names are in allusion to the saline land in which 
this grass will flourish. I do not know any name which has been 
adopted in these colonies, and suggest that “Salt-grass ” is as good as 
any. 
Where figured.—Vasey ; Labillardiére, as Uniola distichophylla. 
