71 



Value as a fodder. — A strong-growing grass, producing abundance 

 of nutritious fodder when young, but becoming coarse when old. For 

 this reason, as also because the barbed seeds are deadly to sheep, it is 

 only suitable for large stock. These seeds are far more formidable 

 than those of Stipa setacea (see page 114). 



" In India it is largely used as fodder, both before and after it has 

 flowered, but chiefly when it is young and tender. In Rajputana and 

 Bundelkhand, where this grass abounds, it is cut and stacked after 

 the rains are over. It is also cut for hay in the Hissar bir, and 

 Mr. Coldstream states that it will keep good in stack for twelve years. 

 On Mount Abu the people consider it is the best fodder-grass they 

 have. In other districts it is said to be eaten only by buffaloes or by 

 cattle when thev are hungry and cannot obtain other kinds of grass." 

 (Duthie.) 



Other uses. — Much used in thatching in India. (Duthie.) Hackel 

 suggests that the awns may serve as hygrometers. Lamson-Scribner 

 points out that the strong rhizomes and tough roots of this grass 

 commend it as a soil-binder for river-banks, dams, &c. 



Fungus found on this grass. — Cerebella andropogonis, Ces. 



Habitat and range. — In the North Coast districts of this Colony, 

 extending through Queensland and Northern Australia ; also extends 

 over tropical and sub-tropical Asia, Africa, America, and the Pacific 

 Islands. 



25. ISCH^EMUM. 



Spikelets in pairs in the alternate notches of the articulate flexuose 

 rhachis of simple spikes, one sessile with one hermaphrodite terminal 

 flower and a male one below it; the other pedicellate and either 

 similar or with only one hermaphrodite or one or two male flowers or 

 reduced to empty glumes. 



Spikes either solitary or two or more, sessile or nearly so at the end 

 of the common peduncle. 



Glumes in the sessile spikelet four, the outer one the largest, awn- 

 less, truncate or two-toothed at the top. 



Second glume keeled and sometimes produced into a short, straight 

 awn. 



Third glume rather smaller, thin, enclosing a palea and three 

 stamens. 



Terminal glume a twisted and bent awn, attenuate or hyaline and 

 bifid at the base as in Andropogon. 

 ■ Palea small and thin or none. 



Styles distinct. 



Grain enclosed in the glumes, but free from them. 



Spikelets both two-flowered and awned ; outer glume rigid ; spikes two 

 or three, rarely four, erect, often appressed so as to appear 

 like one cylindrical spike ; nodes bearded. 



Stems 2 or 3 feet high ; awn exserted. 



Spikes 3 to 4 inches, spikelets 4 to 5 lines long 3. /. triticeum. 



Spikes 1 \ to 3 inches, spikelets about 3 lines long 4. /. australe. 



