CHAPTER I. 



WEST AUSTRALIAN GRASSES. 



BY FRED. TURNER, F.L.S., F.R.H.S., ETC. 



There are about three hundred and sixty species of gi 

 indigenous to Australia, and they are fairly well distributed over 

 continent. Of the total recorded, one hundred and nineteen species, 

 arranged under forty-nine genera, are found in Western Australia. 

 All these, of course, are not good forage plants, but amongst the 

 most valuable and nutritious, from a pastoral point of view, the 

 following may be taken as examples. Six species of Andropogon, 

 including the famous " blue," and other excellent grasses. Three 

 of Anthistiria, which are commonly known as the "kangaroo," "tall 

 oat " (this yields a good sized grain\ and " landsborough " grasses 

 respectively. Three of Chloris, including the " star " or " windmill," 

 and "spider" grasses. Five of Danthonia, including the widely 

 and favourably known "wallaby" grass. All the species of this 

 genus have a high reputation as forage for stock. Two ofDiplachne, 

 one of which is a very good grass for moist situations. Eight of 

 Eni&ostis, some of which are very good forage grasses, and others 

 are remarkable for their drought-enduring qualities. Eight of 

 I'link'um^ all of which are excellent forage grasses, and include the 

 widely and favourably known " Australian millet," the seeds of 

 which at one time formed an important article of food for the 

 aborigines. Six of Poa } which include some good pasture grasses. 

 There are also several species of the following genera. .-1 inphihroiniis 

 ("marsh brnine " grass), Aslu-bla (the famous "Mitchell" grass), 

 Chrysopogon, Cynodon (" couch " grass), Deycnxia ("bent" grass), 

 Dichclachnt ("plume" grass), Elcnsinc ("linger" grass), Eriochloa 

 ("early spring" grass), Microla-nn ("meadow rice" grass), Pappophorum 

 ("black heads"), Paspalum ("water couch"), Pollinin ("sugar" grass), 

 Setaria (" millet ''), Sporoholns, and Sorghum. 



The most undesirable grasses found in Western Australia 

 belong to the genera Arislidit (" three-awned spear" grass). 

 Hcieropogon ("spear" grass), Stipa ("spear," "corkscrew," or "wire" 

 grass), and Triodia (" porcupine " or " spinifex " grass), the latter 

 term, however, is a generic one given to a quite distinct grass, there- 

 fore, must not be confounded with it.) Whilst young, some of these 

 grasses are really good pasture plants, but when the seeds of 

 Aristida, Hcteropogw, and Stipa are ripe, they are irritating and 



