Si 



PenlascJiistis like all the other Cape genera (Achneria, 

 Danlhonia, Pentameris, Avenastrum, Ehrharta, Lasiochloa, 

 Brizoyyiunrri) shows extreme xeroplrvtism in all its features 

 almost without exception. There are deep roots and filiform 

 or setaceous (sometimes flat) leaves. In a large section (see 

 key) the leaves are gland tubercled. The spikelets are more 

 or less glistening. 



Fig. 17 shows a cross section of part of a leaf of P. 

 curri folia. The margins are slightly thickened, and there are 

 prominent ridges. The main bundles are very strongly gir- 

 dered and the sclerenchyma forms a continuous band along 

 the lower surface. There are smaller bundles which are not 

 girdered. There are motor cells in the grooves, and the cuticle 

 is thick. There is no distinct midrib. 



Fig. 17. — Transverse Section of a portion of a leaf of Pentaschistis curvifolia 



(x about 70) . 



Pcrotis latifolia, a tropical species found only in S. Africa 

 on the coast belt of Natal, and the northern Transvaal 

 and Amboland, though it extends through the tropics of Africa 

 and Asia. 



Phalaris. PJi. arundinacea is common in vleis, ditches, 

 and around the margins of Bush. It is widely distributed. 

 Pit. minor is an introduced weed, and Ph. coerulescens 

 ( = Ph. bulbosa) is cultivated for grazing — a valuable grass. 



Phragmit.es communis, the cosmopolitan Eeed grass 

 which occurs all over South Africa, and is the most important 

 grass in the hydrosere, often lining the rivers for miles and 

 occurring abundantly in Vleis. 



Poa (Temperate). Poa bulbosa is only recorded for the 

 West. Poa atherstonei is a very rare species from the Com- 

 pass Berg. Poa annua, Poa trivialis, and Pot jwatensis are all 

 introduced species. The only important South African species 



