Order GRAMINE^E 



GENUS XV. ARUNDO, Linnaeus. 



Spikelets excessively numerous, i 5-flowered, in large, nodding, pendu- 

 lous, or erect panicles. Empty glumes nearly equal, very long, lanceolate, 

 acuminate. Flowering glumes pedicelled, long, lanceolate, very silky, 

 entire, or with 2 lateral short, or long awns ; central awn much longer, 

 straight or twisted. Paha short. Scales 2. Stamens 3. Giain free 

 terete. DISTRIBUTION OF GENUS : VARIOUS PARTS OF THE 

 WORLD. Etymology: From " Arundo " in Latin, " a reed." 



1. ARUNDO CONSPICUA. 



PLUMED TUSSAC GRASS. 



(Plate XXVII.) 



AGROSTIS AUSTRALIS, A. Rich. AGROSTIS AUSTRALIS, A. Cunn., Prod. 

 AGROSTIS CONSPICUA, A. Cunn., Prod. ACHNATHERUM CONSPICUUM, 

 Palisot. GYNERIUM (?) ZEALANDICUM, Steud. CA LAM AGROSTIS CON- 

 SPICUA, Gmelin. AGROSTIS PROCERA, A. Rick. ARUNDO CONSPICUA, 

 Forst. Hook. fil. Fl. N.Z. I., 299. ARUNDO CONSPICUA, Forst. 

 Hook. fil. Handb. N.Z. Flora, I., 331. 



A LARGE ornamental tussac grass. Flowers December January. 

 Culms 6 12 feet high. Leaves involute, narrow, often scabrid and 

 cutting ; ligule o, or a waved line of short hairs round the mouth of the 

 sheath. Panicle i 2 feet long, shining, white or fulvous, nodding or 

 pendulous. Spikelets i 3-flowered, pedicel capillary. Empty glumes 

 i inch long, i -nerved, very narrow, tapering, apiculate. Flowering 

 glume 3-nerved, with numerous long silky hairs proceeding from near 

 the base, lateral and central awns included within the empty glumes. 

 Palea narrow, 2-nerved. Scales fleshy, crowned with about 12 long 

 cilia. Ovary elongate, narrow. DISTRIBUTION OF SPECIES : NEW 



ZEALAND. 



i 



