PLATE 440. 



KLKFSTNK CORACANA, G;ertn. (Fl. Cap., Vol. VII., p. (545). 



Nat. Order GraminenD. 



Very like E. iiu/icti but more robust, up to 5 feet high. 

 Si'TKKLKTS more crowded, to as thick as a finder, often curved ; rhachilla tough. 



GLUMES and valves broader, ovate in profile, obtuse. Grain globose, ^ to f line 

 in diameter, usually dark reddish broAvn, finely striatc, strise curved. 



: NATAL. In a coffee plantation, near Durban, Drccjc, 4294 ; William- 

 son 42 ; Tugela, Buchanan 182 ; without precise locality, (lerrard 469 ; in a katfir 

 garden, Zuhiland, 2000 feet alt., May, Wood 3869. 



"Grown in many parts of tropical Africa, tropical Arabia, and throughout India ; 

 originated probably from E. intllca. The figure in Giertner represents the seed as 

 smooth (not striate) ; there is little doubt that it refers to a variety which is grown 

 in India and Southern Arabia, distinguished by smooth, whitish seeds. This I have 

 not seen from any part of Africa" (Stapf). 



Cultivated by the natives, who use the seed ground with their Amaas, and as 

 porridge for the children, also for making beer. Baron Y. v. Mueller says of it : 

 " Southern Asia, east to Japan, ascending the Himalayas to 7000 feet. Though 

 annual, this grass is worthy of cultivation on account of its height and nutritiveness. 

 It is of rapid growth and the produce of foliage and seeds copious. Horses prefer the 

 hay to any other dry fodder in India, according to Dr. Forbes Watson. The large 

 grains caii be used like millet, and a peculiar beer can be brewed from it. One of the 

 staple grains of Mysore. E. indica only differs as a variety. It extends to tropical 

 Australia, and is recorded also from many other tropical countries, but thrives well 

 even as far as Port Philip, and luxuriates still as far south as Gippsland during the 

 hot season. 



Native name u-Poko. 



Fig 1, Lower glume ; 2, upper glume ; 3, valve ; 4, pale ; 5, pistil, stnmcns and lodiculo.s. 

 All fit Inn/ ft/. 



