Australian Grasses. 



Andropogon refractus, E. Br. (Referring to the reflexed spikes 

 appearing to be broken.) A " Kangaroo Grass." A glabrous erect grass 

 about 2 feet, with the narrow leaves paniculate inflorescence and sheathing 

 bracts of A. sclicenanthus, and the spikes similarly two together about 

 i an inch long on short bracteate peduncles, but much more divaricate, 

 soon reflexed, and glabrous, except a small tuft of short hairs at the base of 

 the sessile spikelets*. Sessile spikelets 2 to 5, 2^ to 3 lines long; outer 

 glume acute, many-nerved ; second narrow and keeled ; third thin and 

 hyaline ; terminal or flowering glume hyaline, narrow, either two lobed with 

 an awn slightly exceeding the spikclet, or more frequently entire or nearly 

 so and awnless. Pedicellate spikelets neuter or rarely with a male flower, 

 the outer glume many-nerved. 



This perennial species, which I have occasionally seen growing from 3 to 

 4 feet high, is found in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, and 

 Northern Australia, but principally in the coastal districts. On one occasion, 

 however, I received a specimen for identification that had been collected in 

 the interior of New South Wales, so that this " kangaroo grass " may have a 

 wider range of growth in this country than is generally supposed. The base 

 of the stems and roots of this grass, like that of several other species of the 

 genus, are highly aromatic. In the summer months during ordinary seasons 

 it yields a great amount of herbage, which while young is relished by all- 

 pasture animals; when it becomes old, however, the herbage is harsh, and 

 cattle or sheep seldom or never touch it, if other grasses are plentiful. 

 Under cultivation it is a most productive grass, and, if cut when it shows 

 its flower stems, makes fairly good hay, with a slightly aromatic perfume. 

 It might also be recommended for stuffing mattresses, &c. This grass is not 

 particular as to soil or situation, for it may as often be found growing oil 

 dry, stony ridges, as on rich, alluvial flats, but of course on good soils it 

 grows taller and yields a superior herbage. On the uplands it often gets 

 very dry during the summer months, and when in that state it is very 

 inflammable, so that care should be taken when making fires in the bush at 

 such times, or a great amount of damage might be done. Unlike some other 

 species of the genus, this "kangaroo grass" makes little or no growth during 

 the winter months, either on the flats or ridges. It produces plenty of seed, 

 which usually ripens during November and December, but which in a wet 

 season is generally a month or two later in ripening. 



Reference, to plate. A, Showing the arrangement of the two spikes and sheathing bract. 

 B, Showing the arrangement of the sessile and pedicellate spikelets on the rhachis (opened 

 out), c, The sessile and pedicellate spikelets. (In some strong growing specimens from 

 the Northern districts I have seen two pedicellate spikelets, one arranged on either 

 side of the sessile one.) D, The sessile spikelet showing the four glumes (opened out). 

 E, Grain, back and front views. All variously magnified. 



