246 Select Plants for Industrial Culture 



Panicum divaricatissimum, R. Brown. 



Australia, particularly in the warmer inland-regions. A good 

 perennial grass, of easy growth on poor soil. 



Panicum divaricatum, Linn<$. (P. bambusoides, Hamilton.) 



Central and Southern America. A grass of scandeiit habit, 

 ascending high up in trees; desirable for naturalization in forests. 



Panicum enneaneurum, Grisebach. 



La Plata-States. Prof. Hieronymus mentions this along with P. 

 grumosum (Nees), P. laxum (Swartz), P. oblongatum (Grisebach) 

 and P. rivulare (Trinius) as rendering the Pampas-pastures so 

 nutritive. 



Panicum flavidum, Retzius. 



Southern Asia, tropical and Eastern sub-tropical Australia. A 

 prolific seed-bearer, often prostrated by the weight of the seeds. 



Panicum fluitans, Retzius. 



Tropical Asia and Africa. This perennial grass, like P. spinescens 

 (R. Brown) of East- Australia, ought to be naturalized along lakes, 

 lagoons and rivers, particularly for the benefit of waterfowl. 



Panicum foliosum, R. Brown. 



India, East-Australia. Perennial. Mr. Bailey finds this to be one 

 of the best grasses for river-banks. 



Panicum frumentaceum, Roxburgh, 



The " Shamalo- or Deccan-grass." Probably introduced from 

 tropical Africa into South-Asia. A hardy summer-grass, having 

 matured seeds even at Christiania (Schuebeler). It serves as a 

 fodder-grass and produces also a kind of millet. In warm moist climes 

 it ripens grains in 1^ months from the time of sowing. The grain 

 much recommended by Mr. C. B. Taylor for culinary purposes. 



Panicum Italicum, Linne\* (Setaria Italica, Beauvois.) 



This grass, notwithstanding its specific name, is of Indian origin, 

 ascending the Himalayas to 6,500 feet, extending to China and 

 Japan. It even ripens in cold climes, its seeds coming to perfection 

 as far north as Christiania (Schuebeler). Reared in Switzerland since 

 prehistoric ages; one of the five kinds of plants sown ceremoniously 

 each year by the Emperor of China, according to an Imperial custom 

 initiated 2,700 years before the Christian era (A. de Candolle). It is 

 annual, attaining a height of 5 feet, and is particularly worthy of 

 cultivation as a tender green fodder. It keeps weeds down, and is 

 one of the most valuable of soiling plants; withstands drought well; 

 yields early in the season a heavy crop of excellent hay, which dries 

 easily (C. Mohr). The abundantly produced grain is not only one of 

 the best for poultry, but that of some varieties can be utilized as 

 millet. Considered by many a delicious grain for cakes and porridge. 



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