Order GRAMINE^E. 



GENUS VI. PASPALUM, Linnaeus. 



Spikelets in the New Zealand species ovoid, much compressed, arranged 

 in two rows on one side of a flat rachis, i -flowered, short, acute, or 

 obtuse, without a callus at the base. Empty glumes 2 3, unequal ; 

 lower glume usually very small. Floivering glume hardening, and 

 enclosing the palea and grain ; all obtuse or acute, awnless. Scales 2, 

 short, fleshy. Stamens 3. Grain free within the hardened glume. 

 DISTRIBUTION OF GENUS : EAST INDIES, WEST INDIES, NORTH 

 AMERICA, PERU, WEST AFRICA, AUSTRALIA, NEW 

 ZEALAND. Etymology. One of the Greek names for "Millet." 



ARRANGEMENT OF THE SPECIES : 



Erect. Leaves flat. Spikelets obtuse ... i. Paspahim scrobitulatum. 

 Creeping. Leaves involute. Spikelets acute 2. Paspalum distichum. 



1. PASPALUM SCROBITULATUM. 



DITCH MILLET, 

 (Plate X. A.) 



PASPALUM SCROBITULATUM, Trin, Sp., Gram. II., t. 143. ; F. Muell., 

 Fragm. VIII., 156. PASPALUM ORBICULARE, Forster, P. POLYSTACHYUM, 

 and P. PUBESCEXS. R. Brown, P. METABOLON, Steud. Syn. Glume I., 19. 

 PASPALUM SCROBITULATUM, Linnaeus. Hook, fil., Fl. N.Z., I., 291 ; 

 Handb. N.Z. Flora, I., 323. 



A GLABROUS, erect, dark-brownish-green grass, ranging from the sea-level 

 to 500 feet altitude. Flouws December January. Perennial. Culms 

 tufted, i 3 feet high, often forming small tussacs. Leaves broad, flat, 

 or wrinkled, rough at the margin, often hairy at the base ; ligule short, 

 broad, rounded at top. Spikes 2 6, alternate, i 2 inches long; rachis 

 flat, brinly at the base. Spikelets imbricate, in two series, sessile, 

 orbicular, A (} -inch long. Empty glumes 2, membranous, i-nerved. 

 Flowering glume concave, faintly 3-nerved. Palea flat, faintly 2-nerved, 



