592 PASTURE PLAXTS 



this purpose and for renovating the soil in the Southern United States and 

 elsewhere. 



Polygonum. An extensive genus of leafy creeping or erect herbs, some- 

 times large shrubs, found throughout warm countries, etc., usually inhabiting 

 wet places. Some ten species are indigenous to Ceylon, several being relished 

 by cattle. 



Trifolium alexandrinum. Berseem, or Egytian clover (Lcgnminosac). 

 A perennial clover, much esteemed and extensively cultivated in Egypt, es- 

 pecially in arid salt lands where little or nothing else will thrive. Here it flour- 

 ishes, and affords the principal green food for cattle, horses, camels and 

 donkeys ; it is also valued for grazing as well as for reclaiming infertile brack- 

 ish land. 



PASTURE PLANTS. 



Grasses are not as a rule equally well adapted for fodder and 

 pasture, many of the fodder class being unsuited for close grazing 

 or pasturing. Some of the foregoing species may, however, be 

 also included under this head. 



Bromus unioloides. " Prairie-grass." A good pasture and hay grass 

 in Australia. Thrives best on moist heavy soils. 



Chrysopogon (Andropogon) aciculatus. "Tutteri," S; "Love- 

 grass." A perennial, very common in Ceylon up to 4,000 ft. Resists drought 

 well, forms good gra/ing, also a good sward. See under Lawns. 



Cynodon Dactylon. Doob-, or doub-grass. See Fodder Gi asses. 



Desmodium heterophyllum. " Maha-undupiyali," vS. (Leguminosae). 

 A perennial prostrate herb, with pale purple flowers, common in the low-coun- 

 try up to 2,000 feet. Forms an excellent constituent of pastures and grows in 

 shade or in the open. 



Desmodium triflorum. " Hin-undupiyali," S. A very small perennial 

 herb, similar to the latter species, but with finer foliage and bright purple 

 flowers. Very common in the low-country ; forms a beautiful close sward. 



Eleusine indica. " Wal-mal-kurakkan," S. An annual grass, forming 

 good pasture, common in most districts in Ceylon. 



Eragrostis tenella. A slender annual spreading grass, of which there 

 are many forms. Found all over the low-country. 



Ischaemum ciliare. " Rat-tana," S. See Fodder Grasses. 



Justicia procumbens. "Mayani," S. (Acanthaceae). A prostrate 

 spreading herb, commonly found among grass in the moist region, at all 

 elevations. 



Oplismenus (Panicum) compositus. A slender creeping grass com- 

 mon in the low-country, flourishing especially under the shade of trees. Of 

 this there are several varieties. 



Panicum curvatum. An elegant slender grass, common in the low- 

 country of Ceylon, also in South India, Madagascar, etc. It is a good pasture 

 or forage plant and. according to FERGUSON, used to form a large proportion of 

 the fodder collected near Colombo for horses. 



Panicum prostratum. " Samay-pillu," 7\ A slender creeping grass, 

 common in the hotter parts of Ceylon and much relished by cattle. 



