99 



42. MICROL^BNA. 



Spikelets one-flowered, on filiform pedicels in a narrow loose panicle,, 

 the rhachis of the spikelet articulate above the two outer glumes. 



Glumes six, two outer short and persistent, third and fourth long^, 

 narrow and awned, fifth and sixth shorter, acute, unawned, all 

 keeled. 



Flower terminal. 



No palea. 



Lodicules large, very thin. 



Stamens four or two. 



Styles distinct. 



Grain enclosed in the larger glumes, but free from them. 



1. Microlsena stipoides, R. Br. 



Botanical name. Microlsena Greek, micros, small ; lenos, wool iiy 

 allusion to the small woolly flower-stalks; stipoides, Stipa-like (oidos),. 

 resembling the grasses known as Stipa. 



Synonym. Ehrharta stipoides, Labill., in F.v.M. Census. 



Vernacular names. " Weeping-grass," Meadow Rice-grass " of 

 N.Z., " Wire-grass ; " the " Star-grass" of Bacchus, and the 

 " Nodding Feather-grass/* of Bailey. 



Where figured. Labillardiere, as Microltena stipoides; Bailey;; 

 Buchanan ; Key Victorian plants (Mueller) ; Hooker (Flora Tasmania); 

 Agricultural Gazette. 



Botanical description. (B. FL, vii, 552). 



Sterna from a perennial rhizome, erect or ascending, 1 to 2 feet high. 



Leaves usually rather short, flat or convolute and very acute, glabrous or slightly/ 

 hairy. 



Panicle narrow, 3 to 6 inches long, with filiform erect branches and pedicels. 



Spikelets narrow, 4 to 5 lines long without the awn, two outer persistent glumes 

 minute ; third and fourth glumes narrow, rigid, with three prominent scabrous 

 nerves, tapering into a fine awn, with a tuft of hairs at their base on the slightly 

 elongated rhachis, the fourth rather longer than the third, and its awn some- 

 times much longer ; fifth glume rather shorter, acute but not awned, the nerves 1 

 not prominent ; sixth shorter, very narrow and thin but stiff. 



Stamens, 4. 



Value as a fodder. This is an excellent pasture-grass for the moister 

 districts of the colony. In depressions in pasture-land, and in other 

 situations where it can obtain the necessary moisture, it grows in 

 patches, affording a tender green growth, 6 inches to 1 foot high, for 

 many months of the year. Though not one of our best grasses, it is 

 believed to be nutritious. Cattle crop it readily, and the dairy farmer 

 should give it every encouragement. It is not a very conspicuous 

 grass, hence it may be readily passed over even when in inflorescence. 



Bacchus says of it : " Where the Kangaroo-grass grows this grass - 

 is generally found also ; it does not, however, suffer so much front- 

 overstocking as the former. It is a good fattening grass." 



Habitat and range. Found in all the Colonies, including New 

 Zealand. In our Colony it is widely diffused, except in the interior.. 



