FODDER PLANTS 593 



Panicum repens. " Et-tora," S. See Fodder Grasses. 



Panicum scrobiculatum. Of this grass there are several forms, many 

 with distinct Sinhalese names. It is common from sea level to 6,000 feet, 

 resists drought well and cattle are fond of it. 



Paspalum conjugatum. Known in Ceylon as the "Barbados sour- 

 Grass," and in the Philippines as "Bitter" or "Buffalo" Grass. A slender 

 leafy grass, introduced from the West Indies, now common in the low-country 

 along roadsides and in moist situations. It is specially adapted to shady places, 

 spreads rapidly, and frequently takes complete possession of the ground. Suited 

 up to 3,000 feet. 



Paspalum dilatatum. See Fodder Grasses. 



Paspalum (Digitaria) longiflorum (=P. filiculme). A very slen- 

 der perennial creeping grass, common from the sea shore up to 3,000 feet or 

 more. Resists drought well, and is often the first grass to become established 

 on new clearings in the low-country ; it forms a large proportion of the swards 

 about Colombo. At Peradeniya it is an excellent lawn grass. 



Paspalum sanguinale. "Gurwal," S. One of the most common 

 grasses in Ceylon, forming excellent pasture ; much relished by cattle. 



Paspalum obtusifolium. A perennial grass, introduced from Mexico, 

 naturalised in Ceylon and very common about Peradeniya under the shade of 

 trees, often to the exclusion of all other grasses ; distinct by its broad sinuate 

 leaves ; excellent for gra/ing. 



Pennisetum cencrhotdes. Congayam grass. A perennial, 10 to 12 in. 

 high, specially suited to dry districts. Said to afford good fodder and 

 pasture in South India. 



Sporobolus diander. A modeiate-sized grass, common throughout 

 Ceylon and the Eastern tropics generally. 



Ruellia ringens. "Nil-puruk," S.(Acanthaceac). A perennial straggling 

 herb, commonly found among grass in the low-country . 



BROWSE (OR FAMINE) FODDER PLANTS 



In times of scarcity of food, as during a prolonged and severe 

 drought, cattle or stock will eat almost anything that is green or 

 juicy. Thus even the gorse, the prickly-pear, rubber trees, tea 

 bushes and palm leaves may be consumed with relish. The 

 following may be mentioned as among the principal plants which 

 are of importance in such circumstances : 



Atriplex nummularia. Salt-bush (Cticnopodiaceae). This and other 

 species of Atriplex, which are perennial bushy plants and thrive in arid districts 

 or on sandy soil near the seacoast, form an important food for stock in 

 Australia and elsewhere in periods of drought. 



Atriplex repens. " Elechivi," T. A small prostrate succulent shrub, 

 common on the sandy shores in the dry region of Ceylon and South India. 

 The Tamils of Jaffna eat the leaves as a vegetable. 



Cytisus proliferus. Tree-lucerne ; Tagasaste. A small leguminous 

 tree, indigenous to the mountains of the Canary Islands, where the leafy 

 branches are used largely as food for cattle. Suitable to a dry climate and 

 loose sandy soil. 



