Census of the Grasses of New South Wales. 31 



excellent pasture grass, but their qualities are much the same. Although its 

 large spreading panicles give it an uninviting appearance, still it yields a lot 

 o valuable herbage during the summer months, which stock of all kinds are 

 remarkably fond of. The roots of this grass are tough and fibrous, and they 

 penetrate deeply into the soil, which, enables the plant to withstand the most 

 prolonged drought. This grass produces a great amount of seed, which 

 ripens in October and November. 



PANICUM EFFUSUM, E. Br. 



" Branched panick grass." 



An erect perennial species, growing from 1 foot to 2 feet high, and generally 

 found all over the Colony. It is not particular as to soil or situation, for it 

 may be seen on dry ironstone ridges as often as on the more fertile low- 

 lands. In the latter situation, however, it yields a rich succulent herbage, 

 which is much relished by all herbivora. The whole plant is hairy, but 

 there is a variety (var. convalliuni) growing in the w r estern districts which is 

 quite glabrous ; with this exception, however, its qualities are much the 

 same. Under ordinary circumstances this grass yields a fair qua'ntity of seed, 

 which ripens in October and November. 



PANICUM ELAYIDTJM, Eetz. 

 " Yellow-flowered panick grass." 



An erect perennial grass, growing from 1 foot to 3 feet high, and generally 

 found all over the arid interior. On good soils it produces a great quantity 

 of rich succulent herbage, which stock of all kinds are particularly fond of. 

 This grass is held in much esteem with pastoralists, and it is said to be one 

 of the best fattening grasses in the interior. The tough fibrous roots of 

 this grass penetrate deeply into the soil, which enables the plant to withstand 

 the most protracted drought. When brought under cultivation, this grass 

 yields an enormous amount of herbage, and if cut when the flower-stalks 

 first appear, it makes splendid hay. This grass would well repay systematic 

 cultivation on our arid plains. After a crop of hay was taken off it would 

 make good pasture for the rest of the summer. There should be no difficulty 

 in bringing this grass under cultivation, as it produces an enormous amount 

 of seed in fact, the seed stalks are so heavily loaded with grain that they 

 often lie prostrate on the ground. The seeds ripen in October and November. 

 There is a variety (var. tenior) of this grass which generally grows in the 

 coastal districts, and although it rarely ever exceeds 1 foot in height it is a 

 good pasture grass, and in sheltered situations will grow nearly all the year 

 round. It is a capital grass to withstand dry weather, and its broad green 

 leaves may often be seen when the surrounding grasses are dried up. In 

 some situations about Port Jackson it is quite common. It is a prolific 

 seed-bearer, and the stems are often prostrate from the weight of grain. 



PANICUM FOLIOSUM, E. Br. 



" Leafy panick grass." 



A rather handsome, broad-leaved, hairy grass, rarely exceeding 2 feet 

 high, and generally found on river banks and on the borders of scrubs in 

 the north-eastern parts of the Colony, but nowhere very plentiful. -It is not 

 a good pasture grass, as its roots have so slight a hold of the soil that 

 stock often destroy it when browsing upon its herbage, by pulling it out of 

 the ground. This grass produces a fair amount of seed, which ripens in 

 December and January. 



