116 

 11. Stipa pubescens, E.Br. 



Botanical name. — Pubescens— Latin, downy, the nodes of the stem 

 being pubescent. 



Botanical description (B. Fl., vii, 569). — 



Stems 2 to 3 feet high, with pubescent nodes. 



Leaves narrow, convolute, the ligula very short, usually ciliate. 



Panicle rather loose in the typical form, very loose in some varieties. 



Outer glumes unequal, the longest about £ inch, scarious at the end, and often, but 



not always, truncate notched or three-toothed, rarely very acute. 

 Flowering glume much shorter, hairy, entire at the top. 

 Awn above 2 inches long, pubescent in the lower part or glabrous. 

 Palea rather long. 



Value as a fodder. — A tall, tufty grass, rather coarse, and a cattle- 

 grass rather than one for sheep. It is, however, believed to be 

 nutritious. It is a bad spear-grass. 



Habitat and range. — Found in all the Colonies. In New South 

 Wales it occurs from the coast to the tableland. 



12. Stipa aristiglumis, E.v.M. 



Botanical name. — Aristiglumis — Latin, arista, the beard of corn ; 

 gluma, the husk or chaff of corn (glume), alluding to the outer glume 

 being produced into fine points. 



Botanical description (B. FL, vii, 570). — Very nearly allied to S. 

 pubescens, and should probably be added to its varieties. 



Habit and foliage the same. 



Panicle much looser. 



Spikelets smaller. 



Outer glume usually produced into one to three fine points. 



Fruiting glume broader. 



Aim of S. pubescens, but usually glabrous. 



Value as a fodder. — The remarks under S. pubescens will apply 

 here. 



As found in Queensland, Bailey speaks of it as a "strong-growing 

 grass, producing a large quantity of excellent fodder; indeed, it is one 

 of the very best species found on the Downs ; the seeds, also, are not 

 so troublesome as some others of the genus/' 



Habitat and range. — Found in all the Colonies except Western 

 Australia and Tasmania. In New South Wales it extends from the 

 coast districts to the interior. 



15. Stipa scabra, Lindl. 



Botanical name. — Scdbra^-L&tm, rough, the grass being somewhat 

 harsh. Mitchell, the discoverer, writes, Tropical Australia, p. 31 : 



"A new species of Stipa, remarkable for its fine, silky 



ears, and coarse rough herbage/' 



