Cv.\()j)()X, Prrs. 



SpiKKi.iCTS 1 -flowered, small, latenilh' coin[)re.s,se(l, sessile, imbricate, alternately 

 2-seriate ami unilateral on a slender keeled rhacliis ; rhachilla disarticulating above the 

 glumes, produced, or not, beyond the \alve. Floret hermaphrodite. 



Glumks narrow, keeled, or subulate-nnieronate, the njqx'i- usually deciduous with 

 the valve, the lotver subpersistent. Yabe exceeding the glumes, navicular, firml}' 

 membranous, 3-nerved, awidess, keel ciliate. Pale somewhat shcjrter than the ^'al\•e, 

 2-keeled. Lodicules 2, nnnute, obovate-cuneate, glabrous. Stamens 3. Ovary 

 glabrous ; st}des distinct, slightly shorter than the plumose stigmas. Grain oblong, 

 subterete ; embryo about ^ the length of the grain ; hilum linear, f the length of the 

 grahi. 



Perennial ; stems creeping, rooting at the nodes and emitting from them 

 fascicles of barren shoots and flowering culms ; spikes 2 to G in terminal umbels. 



Species 2, 1 in extra-tropical South Africa, the other almost cosmopolitan. 



PLATE 430. 



CvxouoN Dactylox, Pers. (Fl. Cap., A'ol. A'lL, p. (iU). 



Xat. Order Graminete. 



Cllms from a few inches to 1 foot long, slender, glabrous, smooth, many-noded, 

 the lotver hiternodes ver\' short, enclosed, the ujjj^er o-i much longer, more or less 

 exserted. 



Leaves usuall}- conspicuously distichous in the barren shoots and at the base 

 of the culms ; sheaths tight, glabrous or hairy," often bearded at the mouth ; ligule a 

 very fine ciliate rim ; blades linear, finel}' acute to pungent, J to 6 inches, by 1 to In- 

 line, very rigid to flaccid, folded or convolute or flat, more or less glaucous, glabrous 

 or hairy, smooth below, scaberulous above. Spikes 2 to 6, straight, J to 2|- inches 

 long ; rhachis pubescent at the base, keel and margins scabrid or the keel smooth. 



SriKELETS light green or purplish, ^ to 1^ line long ; rhachilla produced, ver\- 

 slender, equalling ^ the length of the spikelet. 



Glumes lanceolate, acute to subulate-mucronate, the lotver J to | line long, the 

 upper usually slightly longer, keels scabrid or smooth. A'al ve obliquely oblong to semi- 

 ovate, subobtuse or minutely apiculate, about 1 line long, 'keel ciliate ; keels of pale 

 scaberulous. Anthers oblong, J line long. Grain J line long. 



Habitat : Natal. Durban Flats, Buchanan, 12 ; ol ; Berea Wood, b{)'M), 

 and without precise locality, Buchanan 200 ; Dundee, 1000-5000 ft. alt. ; Green 71. 



An almost cosmopolitan grass. In India it is known as " Dub " or " Doub," in 

 other places as " Bermuda " grass, or " Devil's " grass. In the Southern States of 

 America it is highly valued as a pasture or fodder grass, but should only be planted 

 where it is to remain permanently, as its creeping roots make it very difficult to 

 eradicate when it has once got a firm footing. In India it is considered' to be one of 

 the best of grasses, it endures drought, but will not stand nmch frost. In the coast 

 districts of Natal it remains green durhig the Avuiter, but will not be likely to do so 

 in the uplands. 



Fig 1, Poi'lioii of sheath aucl hlade showing ligule ; 2, spikelet ; 3, lower glume ; 4, upper 

 glume-; 5, valve ; 6, pale ; 7, pistil stameus aud lodicules. All ciihu-i/cd. 



