( 11 ) 



* 



but too local in its distribution to be reckoned as a useful fodder grass. In Aus- 

 tralia, however, it is said to be very palatable and nutritious to stock. 



P. paludosuxn, (Roxb.). Syn. — P, decomposition, R. Br. Vem.— Bengal : 

 JSoruti and liulus-nar (Roxb.) ; Teling : Soda (Roxb.). 



An aquatic grass with stout stems rooting at the lower nodes. Leaves long ; 

 ligule broad, ciliate. Panicle 6 inches to 1 foot long ; branches filiform. Spikelets 

 narrow, acute, pale coloured ; lower outer glume short and truncate ; fruiting glume 

 smooth and without nerves. 



Wet ground in Northern India, but not common. Baron von Mueller in his " Se- 

 lect Plants for extra-tropical Countries " says — " one of the most spacious of Austra- 

 lian nutritious grasses. The aborigines convert the small millet-like grains into 

 cakes. This grass will thrive on poor soil." 



P. Petiverii, Trin. Vem, — Chdpar and chaprur (South-Eastern Pun- 

 jab), chaprura (Falconer). 



Annual. Stems decumbent, often bent and rooting at the lower nodes. 

 Leaves rounded at the base, lanceolate acuminate, flat, smooth or hairy. 

 Panicles erect, shortly pyramidal, simple or sub-compound ; racemes 

 linear, common rachis beset with rough bristles ; spikelets shortly stalk- 

 ed, with rather long bristles at the base, in pairs or solitary, loose and 

 rather large, light green, softly tomentose or smooth; lower glume one- 

 third shorter than the spikelet, cordate-ovate, acute. 



Plains of Northern India. Apparently a good fodder grass, but ac- 

 cording to Symonds it is not suited for making into hay. 



P. plicatum, Lamh. This is a tall grass, 3-4 feet, with very handsome foli- 

 age. It is usually found in damp shady places. I have not heard of its being used 

 for fodder, though no doubt it may be sufficiently nutritious when young. 



P. prostratnm, LamJc. (Plate XLV.) Syn. — P. procumbens, Nees. 

 Vem. — Bundelkhand : Chaurila; Cent. Prov. : Choti semai (Seoni), 

 sarpur (Chanda). 



Perennial. Stems csespitose, ascending, or creeping and rooting at 

 the nodes. Leaves glabrous or more or less hispid with bulbous-based 

 hairs, broadly lanceolate acuminate from a cordate base, and undulate. 

 Panicle short, ovate, one-sided ; spikes shortly stalked or sessile, usually 

 in pairs ; spikelets in two ranks with bristles on their pedicels, ovate, 

 acute, glabrous; outer glume cordate, amplexicaul, obtuse, five times 

 shorter than the spikelet; hermaphrodite floret white, and minutely 

 wrinkled. 



Common in the plains. It is a good fodder grass, and the grain is 

 used as food in famine times. Baron von Mueller states that it is re- 

 commendable for pastures in Australia. 



*l.CULf\ 



P. repens, Linn. — Perennial glaucous. Stems extensively creeping. Leaves 

 broad, cordate at the base and usually hairy ; ligule short, ciliate. Panicle narrow, 

 erect or spreading ; spikes 4-10, short, sessile, equally inserted on the angular villous 



