A Census of the Grasses of New South 



Wales. 



AaEOPYEUM PECTINATUM, Beauv. 

 " Maneroo wheat grass." 



A SLENDER grass, when found on poor soils, but on rich ground it will grow 

 18 inches or 2 feet high, and yields a fair amount of good herbage. When 

 in a young state it is much relished by stock. As it becomes old, however, 

 it is rather harsh; then stock will seldom or never touch it whilst other 

 feed is plentiful. If cut, when it shows its flower spikes, it ought to make 

 excellent hay. When left unmolested, it will produce a fair amount of seed, 

 which ripens during November and December. Habitat : Maneroo Plains 

 and the more southern portions of the Colony. 



AGEOPYEUM SCABEUM, Beauv. 



"Wheat grass." 



A most variable grass as regards height. On poor soils it will rarely exceed 

 1 foot, but *on rich land it often grows 3 feet high. During the winter, and 

 early spring months, ere many of our native grasses begin to grow, it yields 

 a rich succulent herbage, which stock of all kinds are fond of. When it 

 becomes old, however, it is rather harsh. If cut when it shows its flower 

 spikes, it makes excellent hay. 1 have had this grass under cultivation, and 

 it was much superior to that ordinarily seen in pastures, both in bulk and 

 quality. I can recommend its cultivation either for early spring feed, or for 

 making into hay. When the seeds are ripe, its seed awns are often trouble- 

 some, causing irritation to lambs, by getting into their eyes and wool. 

 When left unmolested for a time it will produce a fair amount of seed, which 

 ripens during August, September, and October. There is a variety of this 

 grass with shorter seed awns. With this exception, however, its qualities 

 are much the same. Habitat : generally all over the Colony. 



AGKOPYBUM YELUTINUM, Nees. 



" Yelvet-leaved wheat grass." 



A dwarf species, with soft hairy leaves, rarely exceeding 1 foot in height. 

 When other feed is plentiful, it is not much relished by stock. It generally 

 grows on land liable to inundation in the southern parts of the Colony. It 

 produces a fair amount of seed, which ripens during October, November, and 

 December. 



A&EOSTIS MUELLEEI, Benth. 



"Bent grass." 



An alpine (densely tufted) grass, rarely exceeding 6 inches high. During 

 the summer months it yields a fair amount of succulent herbage, of which 

 sheep are particularly fond. If not cropped too closely down it will produce 

 a fair amount of seed, which ripens during December and January. 

 Perennial, Habitat : Southern mountains, New South Wales. 



