HOLE : SOME INDIAN GRASSES AND THEIR CECOLOGY. 107 



with the black powdery spores, and these fruit-like bodies give the panicles a most 

 characteristic appearance. 



It is interesting to note that this fungus was originally described by Brefeld from a 

 specimen "collected in Dehra Dun " and sent by D. D. Cunningham from Calcutta. It 

 has apparently not been reported from other localities. 



C. — Biological and CEcological Notes. 



87. This plant is gregarious on the soil-less Habitat, 

 banks of gravel and shingle found in and near the beds of steep water-courses. 



While as a rule markedly gregarious and the dominant species in its own station, this 

 plant is not infrequently associated with Andropogon monticola and occasionally with 

 Triraphis. In its local habitat the species completes its annual growth within the period 

 February — November and shows a well-marked resting season during December — January. 



In plants which under cultivation are found to grow well on moist loam the resting 

 period is less sharply defined, the young culms commencing their development and con- 

 tinuing to grow slowly after the close of the usual period of activity. 



Plants taken from sandy, or stony soil, find some difficulty in establishing themselves 

 on loam, but some individuals adapt themselves to such changed soil conditions more readily 

 than others. The species therefore appears to be sensitive to some extent as regards good 

 soil aeration. 



Isolated plants are occasionally seen to have obtained a footing in Sal forest and here 

 it can be seen to possess some capacity for withstanding shade. 



88. This plant is perennial and is usually Development 

 gregarious. It consists of a much branched rhizome which constantly grows outwards season of 

 centrifugally in all directions. Aclirttyand 



The culms are either produced from the branches of the rhizome, or they arise from the owermg- 

 basal nodes of older culms, either above or below the ground surface. 



The culms usually arise close together and well-defined clumps are produced. 



The culms are annual, flowering taking place in September — November. 



In the moist soil of the garden at Dehra Dun, vigorous growth was observed throughout 

 the winter of 1909-10 which however was exceptionally mild. In the dry localities where 

 it is usually found in nature there is as a rule a well-marked period of rest during December 

 and January. 



The aerial culms usually die back after flowering, but their lower internodes occa- 

 sionally persist and produce secondary culms from their nodes. 



The young culm usually shows 6 or 7 very short basal internodes carrying scales, above 

 which all the leaves have a more or less well-developed green lamina. The mature flowering 

 culm also shows the short 6 — 7 basal internodes, as a rule aggregating less than an inch in 

 length, defined by the internodes of the scales, then 9 long internodes, then a comparatively 



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