30 Australian Grasses. 



IMPERATA, Cyr. 



(Named in honor of Ferranti Imperati.) 



SPIKELETS with one or rarely two flowers, usually in pairs, one sessile the 

 other pedicellate, along the slender continuous rhachis of the short branches 

 of a long cylindrical spikelike panicle, densely silky with the long hairs sur- 

 rounding and seated on the spikelets= Glumes four, all thin hyaline and 

 awnless, two outer empty ones usually hairy, the third empty or rarely 

 enclosing a flower smaller and without hairs ; terminal flowering glume still 

 smaller. Palea usually truncate and jagged at the top. Stamens two, or 

 one only in species not Australian. Styles distinct. Grain small, free, 

 enclosed in the outer glumes. 



Imperata arundinacea, Cyr. (Reed-like.) " Blady-grass. " A. stiff, 

 erect, perennial, I foot to 3 feet high, glabrous, except sometimes a tuft of 

 hairs at the nodes, which, however, is not so common in Australian as in 

 Indian specimens. Leaves erect, narrow, often longer than the stem. Spike- 

 like panicle very dense, 3 to 8 inches long, regularly cylindrical, silvery 

 white with the long silky hairs concealing the glumes, the dark-coloured 

 stigmas and oblong-linear anthers alone protruding. Spikelets li to near 2 

 lines long; outer glume five or seven nerved, the second three or five 

 nerved, the third usually empty ; terminal flowering glume still smaller. 

 Palea usually truncate and jagged at the top. Grain small, free, enclosed 

 in the outer glumes. 



This perennial grass is found all over Australia, and also in the temperate 

 and tropical regions of the Old World. It is very common in the coastal 

 districts of this country, but I have not observed it growing very far into the 

 interior. It is generally found growing on low-lying, rich^ moist land, though 

 I have occasionally seen it growing on hillsides. In some instances it covers 

 large areas of undrained land, and if the old stems and leaves are burnt off 

 in October or November, the result will be a capital growth of succulent 

 herbage during the greater part of the summer, which cattle eat with avidity. 

 When the stems and leaves become old, however, they are very tough and 

 harsh, and in that condition are seldom or never eaten if other herbage is 

 obtainable. The ' k blady-grass" has sometimes proved a valuable standby for 

 stock during prolonged drought!?, especially after being burnt off in spring- 

 time. I know of an instance where a number of sheep and cattle almost 

 depended upon this species for forage for a time during a very dry period. It 

 would be a good grass to plant for binding the littoral sands, as its under- 

 ground stems form a perfect network, and are most difficult to eradicate. It 

 can also be recommended for planting on railway embankments, the banks 

 of rivers or dams, or on any loose earth, which it would bind and prevent 

 injury from heavy rains or flood- waters. It should never be encouraged near 

 cultivated land, however, for once it becomes established on good soil it would 

 prove almost irrepressible'; every small joint of its underground stems that is 

 left in the ground is capable of producing a young plant. When the " blady- 

 grass " is in flower it is easily recognised amongst other herbage by its silvery- 

 white spike-like panicles. It produces a fair amount of seed, which usually 

 ripens in the autumn months. It is easily propagated by division of its 

 roots. 



Reference to plate. A, Showing the arrangement of the spikelets on the rhachis. B, A 

 spik4et opened out showing the four glumes ani palea. c, Grain, back and front view. 

 All variously magnified. 



