106 FLORA OF TASMANIA. [ Graminee. 
Gen. IV. SPINIFEX, Z. 
Flores polygamo-dioici; spieulis bifloris; masculis solitariis, ad basin racheos elongate aristeeformis ; 
androgynis in distincta planta spicatis. —G/wme 2, membranacex. Spicule androg. :—Flos inferior â v. 
neuter. Palee 2 v. 1, membranacem. Flos superior d. Palee 9, coriacex, inferior superiorem binervem 
amplectens. Sguamule 2, carnose. Styli basi subcoherentes. Caryopsis intra paleas libera.—Gramina 
ramosissima suffrutescentia, in arenosis repentia ; spicis masculis wmbellatim congestis, in acumen pungens 
productis ; foemineis fasciculatis, fasciculis in capitulum congestis. 
A very remarkable and conspicuous genus of downy or silky Grasses, forming creeping, bushy tufts in sea- 
sand, much branched. Spikes collected into globose bunches; male spikes solitary, placed at the base of a long, 
naked, subulate rachis; hermaphrodite (androgynous) spikes usually on separate plants. Spikelets two-flowered. 
Glumes two, membranous, nearly equal. Palez of the male spikes two, membranous ; lower oblong, channelled ; 
upper with two ciliated keels. Androgynous spikelets spiked, two-flowered ; lower flower male or neuter, with two 
(rarely one) membranous palea; upper flower hermaphrodite, with two coriaceous, oblong, concave paleze, the lower 
including the upper, which is two-nerved. Scales two, fleshy. Caryopsis enclosed between the palez, free. (Name 
from spina, in allusion to the spinous rachis of the male spikelets.) 
l. Spinifex hirsutus (Lab. Fl. Nov. Holl. ii. p. 81. t. 230, 231); vaginis sericeo-tomentosis v. 
inferioribus glabratis, foliis intus glabris inermibus, rachi spice mascule spicam superante.— Br. Prodr. 
198; Fl. N. Zeal. i. 292. (Gunn, 584.) 
Has. Sandy shores on both the north and south coasts.—(v. v.) 
Distris. Extratropical Australia; New Zealand. 
A very strong-growing, silky and woolly Grass, with creeping, knotted, stout, rooting culms, branched here 
and there; the branches bearing long, involute, flexuose leaves, 1-13 foot long.—Lower sheaths smooth and shining, 
upper, as well as the back of the leaf, covered with shaggy or silky tomentum or hairs. Male spikes numerous, 
peduncled, silky, 1 inch long, collected into an involucrate head, the rachis produced beyond the flowers. Herma- 
phrodite (androgynous) spikes also numerous, and collected into an involucrate head, formed of numerous silky 
spines, 4-5 inches long, that stick out in all directions; each of these is a peduncle or rachis, at whose base only 
the fertile flowers are to be found. | 
Gen. V. ANTHISTIRIA, Z. 
Spicule 1-2-Hlorz, fasciculate (fasciculis paniculatis bracteatis) ; 4 inferiores 1-2-glume, neutre v. 
mascule, circa 3 superiores fasciculate ; superiorum 2 Zaterales biglumz, pedicellatee, mascule ; intermedia 
(fasciculo centralis) sessilis, hermaphrodita. ^G/wma inferior superiorem amplectens. Palee hyaline, 
membranacez ; flosculis hermaphroditis 2; neutris masculisque plerumque 1 ; inferiore flosculi hermaphro- 
diti aristato. Sguamule 2. Stamina 3.—Gramina plerumque elata, planifolia. 
À very curious genus, whose structure is not easily understood by the student, but this species may easily be 
recognized by its peculiar habit, spathaceous spikelets, and long, stout awns. The Tasmanian species (Kangaroo 
- Grass) is particularly valuable as affording a good and abundant fodder Grass in the dry seasons.— Spikelefs pani- 
cled, about seven together, one- or two-flowered, collected into bundles, and each bundle furnished with a large 
awned bract or spathe. Four outer spikelets in each bract sessile, whorled round three central ones, which are 
placed on a bearded pedicel, of one or two awnless or short-awned glumes, each containing one neuter or male 
flower that has only one palea. Of the three central flowers, the two lateral are stalked, awnless, or with short- 
awned glumes, male, and contain a unipaleate flower; the middle spikelet is sessile, and has coriaceous, blunt 
glumes, and uni- or bi-paleate, hermaphrodite flowers. Palee membranous, the outer one of the hermaphrodite 
flower with a long, strong, bent awn, Stamens 3. (Name, the Greek one for a species of Grass.) 
