Australian Grasses. 35 



PANICUM, Linn. 



(The old Latin name, derived by Pliny from paniculum, a panicle ; alluding 

 to the usual form of inflorescence.) 



SPIKELETS with one terminal hermaphrodite flower, and occasionally a male 

 or rudimentary flower below it, rarely awned, variously arranged along the 

 branches of a simple or compound panicle rarely reduced to a simple spike, 

 the partial rhachis very rarely produced beyond the last spikelet ; barren 

 awn-like branches none, or very rarely a single one. Glumes usually four, 

 the outer one smaller than the others, not awned, often very small, deficient 

 only in P. gilbosum, the second and third very variable in relative propor- 

 tions, the third occasionally w^ith a palea with or without three stamens in 

 its axil ; fourth or fruiting glume smaller or as long as the third, of a firmer 

 consistence, enclosing a palea and hermaphrodite flower. Styles distinct or 

 very shortly united at the base. Grain enclosed in the hardened fruiting 

 glume and palea, but free from them. 



Panicum bicolor, R. Br. (Two-coloured.) " Two-coloured Panick 

 Grass." Usually a small slender tufted grass, with much the habit of some 

 species of Air a or Agrostis, but sometimes above 1 foot high, approaching in 

 habit the P. melananthum. Leaves linear, usually very narrow, more or less 

 hairy, especially at the orifice of the sheath, rarely quite glabrous ; the ligula 

 very short, ciliate. Panicle usually only 2 or 3 inches long, loose and 

 slender, but rather narrow, but sometimes larger and spreading; the branches 

 capillary and flexuose, not clustered, and not much divided. Spikelets all 

 pedicellate, about 1 line long, glabrous. Outer glume acute, three-nerved, 

 fully half as long as the spikelet ; second and third glumes nearly equal, 

 acute, about five-nerved ; the third with a palea, but 110 stamens. Eruiting 

 glume smooth and shining. Grain enclosed in the hardened fruiting glume 

 and palea, but free from them. 



A perennial grass found in the coastal districts of New South Wales and 

 Queensland, and in some situations it is fairly abundant. It is found also in 

 the New England and south-western portions of New South Wales, but not 

 so plentifully as in the coastal districts. It is not particular as to soil or 

 situation, for I have seen it growing as often on iron-stone ridges as on good 

 pasture land ; but, of course, in the latter situation it yields a larger amount 

 of superior herbage. It is a capital sheep grass, but it is not bulky enough 

 to make good pasture for cattle, although all herbivora are remarkably fond 

 of it. In sheltered situations it will yield a fair amount of herbage during 

 the winter and early spring months, so on this account it is well worth 

 conservation. I have seen this grass growing plentifully in cultivated land, 

 and the herbage was much superior to that which is usually seen under 

 ordinary circumstances. This led me to believe that the grass could be much 

 improved if brought under cultivation. It produces a fair amount of seed, 

 which usually ripens in November and December. 



This grass may be easily recognised, amongst other herbage, by its parti- 

 coloured spikelets. They are mostly purple, pink, and light green. 



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

 Spikelet opened out, showing the four glumes and two paleas. C, Showing the relative 

 size of the outer glume on the spikelet. D, Grain, back and front views. All variously 

 magnified. 



