24 Australian Grasses. 



ELEUSINE, Gartn. 



Mythological ; from Eleusis, where was a celebrated temple of Ceres, 



(Demeter.) 



SPIKELETS several flowered, flat, imbricate in two rows along one side of 

 the digitate or scattered branches of a simple panicle ; the rhachis of the 

 spikelet articulate above the outer glumes. Glumes spreading, keeled and 

 complicate, thin but rigid, the two outer empty ones usually shorter, unequal, 

 obtuse, acute or tapering to a short point. Flowering glumes obtuse or less 

 pointed, the terminal one usually empty or rudimentary. Palea folded. 

 Styles short, distinct. Seed rugose within a loose membranous pericarp, 

 which either persists round the ripe seed or breaks up and falls away, or 

 otherwise disappears as the ovary enlarges. 



Eleusine indica, Gcertn. (Indian) " Crow-foot " or " Crab Grass." A 

 coarse, erect, tufted grass from 1 foot to 2 feet high. Leaves narrow ; 

 the sheaths flattened and distichous, ciliate with a few long hairs. Spikes 

 five to seven, 2 to 3 inches long, digitate, with usually one inserted rather 

 lower down ; the rhachis prominent on the upper or inner side ; the spikelets 

 loosely imbricate on the opposite side. Each spikelet 11 to 2 lines long, 

 containing three to five flowers. Glumes obtuse, the lowest small and 

 one-nerved, the second an empty one, aucl the lower flowering ones usually 

 three-nerved. Pericarp persistent, very loose and membranous, enclosing 

 the rugose seed. 



This coarse, perennial grass is found in the coastal districts of New South 

 "Wales, and Queensland, and also in the warmer parts of the new and the 

 old world. Quite recently I received specimens from New Caledonia for 

 identification, that being, I believe, the first time it was recorded for that 

 island. It is found only in the warmer portions of Australia. I never 

 remember seeing it growing any further south than the Hunter River, in 

 New South Wales. It is generally found growing on rich, moist lands 

 bordering rivers, creeks, lagoons, &c., and in some places it is very plentiful. 



The "crab grass " maybe recognised by its dark green colour, strong stalks, 

 and digitate panicles, the spikelets of which are flat, and overlap each other. 

 It grows nearly all the year round, but during the summer months yields 

 a great amount of rich, succulent herbage, which is much relished by cattle. 

 It is said that if cut when it first shows its flower stems, it can be made 

 into excellent hay. A gentleman at Kenipsey, forwarded a specimen of this 

 grass to me for identification quite recently, with a note to the effect that it 

 was a " very good grass for cattle, and that they ate it greedily." It is 

 worth disseminating on moist lauds in the coastal districts ; and as it 

 produces a great amount of seed if left undisturbed for a time, there would 

 be very little trouble in collecting any quantity. Besides its value as a 

 forage grass, it is useful for binding the banks of rivers, dams, and loose 

 earth. Its tough fibrous roots penetrate deeply into the soil, and in time 

 form a perfect mat, so that flood-waters would have little effect upon the 

 land where it was firmly established. It will even undergo partial submer- 

 sion for a few days without the slightest injury. The seeds usually ripen 

 during the summer and autumn months. 



Reference to plate. A, Spike showing tlie arrangmont of the spikelets on the rhachls. 

 B, Spikelet. c, Floret showing the grain enclosed in the very loose and membranous, but 

 persistent, pericarp. D, Grain, three different views. All variously magnified. 



