Forage Plants of Australia. 45 



ORDER PLANTAGINE^E. 



PLANTAGO YARIA, R.BB. 



" Variable Plantain," or " Rib-grass." 



Flora Aust., Vol. V,p. 139. 



A PERENNIAL plant forming a thick stock, with the membranous imbricate 

 bases of the leaves usually enveloped in long hairs. The leaves are all 

 radical and more or less hirsute, and vary in length from 2 inches in some speci- 

 mens, to 6 inches, and even 1 foot in others. They are mostly lanceolate, or 

 linear-lanceolate, with prominent nerves underneath, and are bordered by a 

 few teeth, though sometimes they are entire. The scapes are longer than 

 the leaves, bearing in the upper portion a more or less interrupted spike of 

 flowers from 1 inch to 4 inches in length. This plant is found on the arid 

 western plains between the Lachlan and Darling Rivers, and on to the Barrier 

 Ranges, in the New England district, and generally on the coastal side 

 of the dividing range in New South Wales. It is found also in the interior 

 of Queensland, in the Wimmera and other stations in Victoria, Cooper's 

 Creek, St. Vincent's, and Spencer's Gulf in South Australia, King George's 

 Sound and Swan River in West Australia. It is moderately plentiful in 

 some of the districts named ; for its free seeding qualities have rendered it 

 somewhat proof against extermination. The plant makes most of its growth 

 during the autumn and winter months ; also in the early part of the year 

 before many of the indigenous grasses begin to grow. Consequently, on this 

 account, it is a valuable addition to some pastures. Its mucilaginous leaves 

 are much relished by sheep and other small herbivora ; while for dairy cows 

 it is considered a good milk producer. Horses eat it but sparingly. Even 

 on poor land, and in uncongenial soils, this plant will produce a large amount 

 of succulent herbage ; as its deeply penetrating roots will sustain the plant 

 during adverse times of drought and heat. On rich pasture land, however, 

 it is not a desirable plant to have too much of ; for, like most radical- leaved 

 plants, it destroys some of the more tender varieties of grasses with which it 

 comes in contact. For ensilage, however, it might be cultivated exclusively 

 on rich soils to advantage, as the enormous crop of leaves it produces would 

 probably well repay conserving by such means. The seeds of this plant, like 

 most of its congeners, are eaten by some kinds of birds. There are only six 

 species of the genus Plant a go indigenous in Australia ; three of them being 

 truly Alpine plants. But two European species, P. major and P. lanceolata 

 have established themselves in various parts of the Colony the latter much to 

 the annoyance of persons who cultivate lawns of the finer kinds of grass. This 

 species may be recognised by its lance-shaped leaves, and long scapes, bearing 

 flowers in a dense ovate head or spike. It is a prolific seed bearer ; and the seeds 

 germinate readily after a shower of rain. This species is sold by our seeds- 

 men under the name of rib-grass. It is usually sold in grass mixtures, where 

 its quota in the mixture is from 2 to 3 Ib. of seed to the acre. If sown alone 

 30 Ib. are required. One annual species (Plantago coronopus, or " Star of 

 the Earth") found on the sandy shores of Europe, is cultivated on the con- 

 tinent for the sake of its young leaves, which are used for mixing in salads. 

 This species is found also in the southern colonies, but it has probably been 

 introduced. 



