42 Australian Grasses. 



Panicum prolutum, F.v.M. (Referring to tlie grass being found in wet 

 places.) " Rigid Panick Grass." Stems from a branching base erect, rigid, 

 1 foot to 2 feet high. Leaves rather rigid, the margins involute when 

 dry, glabrous and glaucous ; ligula very prominent, scarious, truncate or 

 slightly jagged. Panicle 3 to 6 inches long, of numerous slender divided 

 branches, the lower ones clustered, erect, and enclosed at the base by the 

 last sheath, or at length exserted and spreading. Spikelets on filiform 

 pedicels, ovoid, acute, glabrous, about 11 lines long. Empty glumes rather 

 rigid, prominently nerved, the outer one obtuse, with scarious margins, more 

 than half the length of the spikelet, three or five nerved, the second and 

 third nearly equal, acute, five or seven nerved, no palea in the third. 

 Fruiting glume smooth and shining. 



This erect, rather rigid, perennial species is found growing principally 

 in the interior of -New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, and South 

 Australia, and in some situations it is moderately plentiful. It is generally 

 found growing on good land that is liable to periodical inundations, and, as 

 it makes most of its growth during the summer months, it is a valuable 

 stand-by for stock when many other grasses are somewhat scarce. It is a 

 valuable addition to other herbage, and, under ordinary circumstances, will 

 retain its greenness far into the autumn months. It is not considered a 

 good grass to make hay of, as its stems and leaves are too rigid when fully 

 developed, but as a pasture-grass in the interior it is much valued. Before 

 the aborigines tasted the sweets of civilisation they used to collect the seeds 

 of this grass in large quantities, and use them as an article of food, after 

 grinding them between two stones, which converted them into a kind of 

 meal. The rigid panick grass is well worth conserving where it is already 

 growing, and disseminating in suitable districts where it does not already 

 exist. There would be no difficulty in collecting seeds of this grass, for 

 under ordinary circumstances it produces an abundance, which ripen in the 

 summer and autumn months. As much seed as would sow several acres 

 could be collected in a few hours in a reserved area or within the railway 

 enclosures. 



Reference to plate. A, Spikelefc opened out, shoAving the four gl nines and palea. B, 

 Showing the relative size of the outer glume on the spikelet. c, Grain, back and front views. 

 All variously magnified. 



