48 Census of the Grasses of New South Wales. 



ZOYSIA PUNGENS, Willd. 

 " Coast couch grass." 



A perennial species, witli creeping underground stems, often to a great 

 extent in loose sand, from which spring erect stems, rarely above 6 inches 

 high. It is purely a coastal grass, and is never found except on the littoral 

 sands, or in or near salt marshes. In some places it forms a compact turf, 

 and affords a large amount of herbage, which stock are particularly fond of. 

 Like most littoral grasses, its stems and leaves contain a considerable amount 

 of soda, which is invaluable to the health of stock. I have often recom- 

 mended this grass for planting on the littoral drift sands, and much good 

 would have resulted had this been done at "Wollongong and at Newcastle. 

 "VVe have a good illustration of the value of this grass for binding the 

 littoral sands at the " spit," between North Sydney and Manly. Nearly the 

 whole of that great sandbank has been quietly but efficiently bound together 

 by the roots of this useful little grass, as any one may easily be convinced 

 by taking a spade and digging down into the sand as I did, where they will 

 see a perfect net-work of roots for several feet down. This grass should be 

 widely distributed in the coastal districts where it is not already growing. 

 It is easily propagated by division of its roots. 



The following exotic grasses have become naturalised in various portions 

 of the Colony : 



AIEA PB^COX, Linn. 

 " Early hair grass." 



An annual species, growing from to 8 inches high, which is found only 

 in the southern portions of the Colony, but nowhere very plentiful. This 

 grass makes most of its growth during the winter and early spring months, 

 but its foliage soon withers on the approach of hot weather. It is not of 

 any value for forage. Its purplish or pale-coloured flowers are borne on 

 slender panicles, which gives the grass a rather ornamental appearance. 

 The seeds ripen in September. 



ANTHOXANTHTJM ODOEATUM, Linn. 

 " Sweet-scented vernal grass." 



A perennial species, growing from 1 foot to 2 feet high, which has become 

 fairly well established in some pastures in the southern portions of the Colony. 

 Its presence in pastures may easily be detected by its pleasant odour. This 

 as due to a fragrant resinous principle, called coumarin. It is not considered 

 a first-class grass for forage, having a less quantity of saccharine matter and 

 more mucilage than some other kinds in its composition. Its presence, 

 however, in pastures is considered an advantage, especially where grasses are 

 grown for hay, as it imparts a pleasant odour to the crop, which enhances its 

 value. I have known of instances where cattle did eat damaged hay when 

 flavoured with the sweet-scented vernal grass, or fenugreek (Trigonella 

 f&num grcecum). Our native Jiierocliloas (sweet-scented holy grasses) 

 would answer the same purpose, as they contain the same fragrant principle 

 (ooumarin). The sweet-scented vernal grass does not produce a great 

 amount of seed. What there is, however, ripens in September and October. 



