169 



" The largest panicles form very ornaniental pluines, almost equal to 

 those of Arundo donax, so much cultivated for ornamental purposes. " 

 (Vasey.) 



" Sandals are made from the stems in Lodak, India." (Duthie.) 



In addition to the above uses, Hackel observes that the culms are 

 used for the mouthpieces of musical instruments, weavers' spools, &c, 

 and an infusion of the root is used as a diuretic. 



" In Mexico where the plant grows 20 to 25 feet high (near the 

 water), the stems are used for various purposes by the natives accord- 

 ing* to Dr. E. Palmer, who says they cut it into certain lengths, and, 

 having split it, beat it flat and then weave it in and out, making a large 

 square mat, with which they form the ends of their houses. They 

 place it over the rafters before the tule thatch is put on. It is also 

 used to cover verandahs and as screens for doors." (Dodge.) 



Habitat and range. — In swampy localities, all over the Colony. Found 

 in all the other Colonies, and in many countries of the Old and New 

 World. 



86. DISTICHLIS. 



Spikelets several-flowered, dioecious, shortly pedicellate in a narrow 

 panicle often reduced to two or three spikelets, the rhachis glabrous, 

 articulate between the flowering glumes — at least in the females. 



Outer empty glumes narrow, keeled. 



Flowering glumes broader, keeled, many-nerved, all acute, unawned. 



Palea folded, the keels very prominent or narrowly winged. 



Stamens in the males three, without any or with a small rudimentary 

 ovary. 



Staminodia in the females very rare. 



Lodicules broad. 



Ovary glabrous, tapering into two rather long styles with exserted 

 stigmas. 



Grain obovoid or elliptical, free, with a thick spongy pericarp. 



1. Distichlis maritima, Kafin. 



Botanical name. — Distichlis — Greek, distichos, of two rows, refer- 

 ring to the leaves which are so placed ; maritima — Latin, belonging to 

 the sea, this being a coast grass. 



Synonym. — Festuca disti'chojphylla, Hook. f. 



Vernacular names. — ''''Salt-grass" and "Alkaline-grass" of the 

 United States ; " Spike-grass" and " Quack-grass" are also American 

 names. The first two names are in allusion to the saline land in which 

 this grass will flourish. I do not know any name which has been 

 adopted in these colonies, and suggest that " Salt-grass " is as good as 

 any. 



Where figured. — Yasey ; Labillardiere, as Uniola distichophylla. 



