48 Australian Grasses. 



SET ARIA, Beam. 



(Eroin seta, a bristle ; alluding to the involucre of bristles surrounding the 



spikelets.) 



SPIKELETS with one terminal hermaphrodite flower, and sometimes a second 

 male one below it, crowded in a cylindrical dense, or rarely interrupted 

 spike-like panicle not awned, but surrounded by numerous awn-like barren 

 branches, persistent on the main rhachis ; the spikelets sessile near the base 

 of the branches, and falling away from them. Glumes four, the outer one 

 small, the second usually shorter than the third. A palea, and sometimes 

 three stamens in the axil of the third. Terminal or fruiting glume of a 

 firmer consistence, with a perfect flower. Styles distinct. Grain enclosed 

 in the hardened glume and palea, but free from them. 



Setaria glauca, Beauv. (Referring to the pale bluish-green colour of 

 the plant.) " Pigeon Grass." An erect annual, of a pale green, 1 foot to 

 2 feet high. Leaves flat, with scabrous edges, and often ciliate with a few 

 long hairs. Spike-like panicle simple, cylindrical, 1 inch to 1-| inches long, 

 the spikelets solitary at the base of numerous awn-like branches, many of 

 which are barren and all scabrous with minute teeth directed upwards. 

 Spikelets ovoid, about 1% lines long. Outer glume very small, the second 

 not quite so long as the third. .A palea, and very rarely stamens (in the 

 northern and more vigorous growing specimens the stamens are generally 

 present) in the third. Fruiting glume more or less gibbous, marked with 

 prominent transverse wrinkles. 



This annual grass is found growing over nearly the whole of Australia, but 

 nowhere is it reported to be very plentiful. It is not endemic in this 

 country, but is found growing in most of the warmer parts of the earth, but 

 whether it is under cultivation anywhere I am unable to say. It may be 

 found growing naturally on various soils in this country, but of course it 

 yields a superior and larger amount of herbage on rich alluvial flats than on 

 hillsides or on poorer land. On land that has been newly broken up it 

 yields a rich, succulent herbage during the summer months, which is much 

 relished by all kinds of stock. The " pigeon grass " is well worth systematic 

 cultivation, either to be cut for green feed, or for making into hay. If 

 grown for the latter it should be cut when the flower-steins first appear. I 

 have had many specimens sent to me for identification from various parts of 

 the country, and they were accompanied with notes to the effect that it was 

 an excellent forage grass. Some of the specimens that had been collected in 

 cultivated fields were 3 feet high. There would be no difficulty in bringing 

 the grass under systematic cultivation, for if allowed to grow undisturbed 

 for a time it produces a great amount of seed. Besides the value of the grass 

 for forage purposes, the seeds are good feed for many domestic birds. The 

 seed ripens during the summer and autumn months, and the best time to sow 

 is in September or October, according to situation. 



Reference to plate. A, Spikelet partly surrounded by awn-like barren branches. B, 

 Open spikelet, showing the four glumes and two paleas. c, Grain, back and front views. 

 All variously magnified. 



