32 Census of the Grasses of New South Wales. 



PANICUM GEACILE, E. Br. 



" Slender panick grass." 



An erect many-branched perennial grass, rarely exceeding H feet in 

 height, and generally found all over the Colony. It is an exceedingly 

 variable grass as regards stature and appearance, and some forms of it might 

 readily be mistaken for the variety tenior of P. flavidum. This grass- 

 is not particular as to soil or situation, and it may as often be found on hill 

 sides as in the more fertile pastures. Although its leaves are narrow and 

 somewhat harsh in dry seasons, it is, nevertheless, a good pasture grass, and 

 one which stock of all descriptions are fond of. This grass does not 

 appear to be a great seed bearer : what there is, however, ripens in October 

 and November in the interior, and December and January in the coastal 

 districts. 



PANICUM HELOPUS, Trin. 

 " Hairy panick grass." 



An erect and somewhat hairy perennial grass, growing from 1 foot to 2i 

 feet high, and only found in the arid interior, but in some places it is fairly 

 plentiful. It generally grows oil good soils, and during the early summer 

 months yields a rich, succulent, herbage much relished by all herbivora. 

 This grass produces a fair amount of seed, w.hich ripens in October and 

 November. 



PANICUM INDICUM, Linn. 

 " Indian panick grass." 



An erect, slender, wiry, perennial grass, growing from 8 inches to If feet 

 high, and generally found in low, damp, localities in the coastal districts. It 

 is of little value as a pasture grass, and, unless in very dry seasons, when 

 other herbage is scarce, stock seldom or never touch it. It produces a 

 fair amount of seed, which ripens in December and January. 



PANICUM LEUCOPHCEUM, H.B. etK. 



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

 found over a greater portion of the interior. It is a valuable pasture grass, 

 and during the summer months yields a quantity of valuable herbage, which 

 is much relished by stock of all kinds. Under cultivation this is a most pro- 

 lific grass, and if cut when the flower stalks first appear it makes excellent 

 hay. I can highly recommend this grass for general pasture, or for making 

 into hay. This grass is easily recognised in pastures by its spikelets being 

 densely covered with long, silky, silvery, or purple hairs, which gives it quite 

 an ornamental appearance. It produces a fair amount of seed, which ripens 

 in November and December. There is a variety of this grass (var. monos- 

 tacJiymn), which is more dwarf in habit, and has the inflorescence arranged in 

 a simple spike instead of a panicle. With these exceptions, however, its 

 qualities are much the same. This variety is generally found on ridges in 

 the interior. It produces a fair amount of seed, which ripens in November. 



PANICUM MACEACTINIUM, Benth. 

 " Eoly-poly grass," " Umbrella grass." 



A perennial grass, of somewhat tufted habit, and generally found all over 

 the arid interior. Its immense spreading panicles give it an uninviting 

 appearance. Notwithstanding this, however, it is an excellent pasture grass, 

 and forms a good tuft of leafy herbage at the bottom, which stock are fond 



