HITCHCOCK AND CHASE GRASSES OF THE WEST INDIES. 369 



t Vilfa aflims Steud. Syn. PI. Glum. 1 : 161. 1854. 



A low tufted glabrous perennial with spreading culms, rather thick subin- 

 volute short blades, and pale many-flowered panicles, at first contracted, at 

 maturity narrowly pyramidal or oblong. 



Open sandy or alkaline soil, southwestern United States to South America. 

 Originally described from Brazil. 



Bahamas (Fortune Island), Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, Santo Domingo, Porto 

 Rico, St. Croix, Antigua, and Trinidad. 



4. Sporobolus atrovirens (H. B. K.) Kunth, Rev. Gram. 1: 68. 1829. 

 Vilfa atrovirens H. B. K. Nov. Gen. & Sp. 1: 138. 1816. 

 Sporobolus bahamensis Hack. Oesterr. Bot. Zeitschr. 52: 56. 1902. 



Similar to the preceding, erect or ascending, the leaves more aggregated at 

 the base, the panicle branches longer. 



Open rocky soil, Mexico ; also in the Bahamas. Originally described from 

 the Valley of Mexico. Sporobolus bahamensis was described from Acklin 

 Island, Eggers 3905 being the type. The author distinguishes the species by 

 its monandrous florets, but we find only one stamen in any of the specimens 

 examined of &. atrovirens from Mexico, including those of the type collection 

 made by Humboldt. In the West Indies found only on Acklin Island. 



5. Sporobolus domingensis (Trin.) Kunth, Enum. PL 1: 214. 1833. 

 Vilfa domingensi® Trin. in Spreng. Neu. Entd. 2: 59. 1821. 

 Agrostis domingensis Schult. Mant. 3: 570. 1827. 



We have not been able to verify the last reference. 



Resembling no. 3 but larger, the culms commonly 40 cm. tall, the panicles 

 contracted, densely flowered. 



Sandy or alkaline soil, Bahamas and Greater Antilles. Originally described 

 from Santo Domingo. 



Bahamas (Anguilla Isles, New Providence, Fortune Island), eastern Cuba, 

 and Porto Rico (Cabo Rojo, Sintenis 549b, an immature specimen doubtfully 

 referred ) . 



6. Sporobolus virginicus (L.) Kunth, Rev. Gram. 1: 67. 1829. 

 Agrostis virginica L. Sp. PI. 63. 1753. 



Vilfa virginica Beauv. Ess. Agrost. 16, 182. 1812. 



Culms 15 to 40 cm. tall, erect from extensively creeping hard scaly rhizomes, 

 the numerous leaves conspicuously distichous, the sheaths overlapping, the 

 blades firm, involute-pointed ; panicles spikelike, commonly not over 5 cm. long. 

 Extensive colonies of sterile plants often found along sandy beaches. 



Saline soil along the coast, Virginia to Brazil. Originally described from 

 Virginia. . Common throughout the West Indies. 



7. Sporobolus littoralis (Lam.) Kunth, Rev. Gram. 1: 68. 1829. 

 Agrostis littoralis Lam. Tabl. Encycl. 1 : 161. 1791. 



Similar to the preceding but larger throughout, the culms commonly 70 cm., 

 sometimes 1 meter, tall, the panicles as much as 15 cm. long. Possibly not 

 specifically distinct from S. virginicus. 



Saline marshes and sea beaches, West Indies to Brazil. Originally described 

 from tropical America. 



Bermuda, Cuba, Porto Rico, Guadeloupe, Grenada, Barbados, Trinidad, and 

 Tobago. 



8. Sporobolus indicus (L.) R. Br. Prodr. Fl. Nov. Holl. 1: 170. 1810. 

 Agrostis indica L. Sp. PI. 63. 1753. 



Sporobolus lamarckii Hamilt. Prodr. PI. Ind. Occ. 4. 1825. 

 Sporobolus jacquemontii Kunth, Rev. Gram. 2: 427. pi. 127. 183L 



