346 



86. PA.LM^. 



[Fandanuf. 



eandv soil near the sea-coast of the Konkan and N. K^nara. Fl. and 

 Fr. Hot and Rainy seasons. Stems thick and short, gi'ows gi*egariously 

 like the foregoing species. The white fragrant, keeled spathes are nsed 

 as an ornament for the hair by certain castes of native women along the 

 coast. Gold imitations of this ornament are also mnch nsed in 

 Kanara and the Konkao. 



There is an evergreen prostrate- thin-stemmed, soboliferons, gregariona 

 shrnb fonnd in some of the N. Kanara evergreens of the Siddapore snb- 

 division which may be P. fcetidus, Rojb. I have never been able to 

 procure Bowers, which probably appear during tbe rainy season. 



Order 7S. GRAMINEJE. 



Herbs, rarely shrubs or trees. Leaves alternate, distichous, con^ 

 sisting of a tubular, split sheath and a narrow linear blade, joinecf 

 to the sheath by a petiole (in bamboos) ; sheath termiuating in a 

 scarious or fringed ligule. Flowers hermaphrodite or unisexual, 

 arranged in distichous, 1 or manyflowered spikelets, usually with 

 1-2 empty glumes (bracts) at the base. The flowering axis bears- 

 1 or more distichous glumes (flowering glumes). Each flotvering 

 ^Inme bears in its axil the palea, a transparent --nerved or keeled 

 Ibract. The flowering glume embraces the palea with its incurved 

 edges. Between the flowering glume and the palea is situated the 

 flower, consisting of 2-3 small scales (lodicules), 3 or more free 

 stamens and the superior ovary, crowned with plumose stigmas. 

 Ovary l-celled. Fruit a 1-seeded caryopsis, pericarp adherent to 

 the testa, and sometimes to the palea and flowering glume. Alba- 

 men farinaceous. Embryo at base of albumen small or minute- 

 Stamens 6. 



Filaments free. Lodicules 3, 2. Style deciduous. 



Embryo conspicnoa^ on saiface of caryopsis ... 1. BAiiBrSA. 



Filaments free. Lodicules 0, Style with a per- 

 sistent base. Embryo not apparent on surface 



of caryopsis 2. DEJSTDSOCAiAMrs. 



Filaments united in a slender tube. Caryopsis 



linear, oblong 3. OxTTE]S-A>-TflEiiAr 



Stamens numerous or (6-9). Style long ; stigmas 3-5 ... 4. Ochi.A2hDKa. 



1. BAMBUSA, Scbreber. 

 Large bamboos, usually in compact clumps. Spikelets 5 ta 

 many-flowered, usually clustered aud spikred, formiog a gigantic 

 leafless panicle. Empty glumes 2 or more, lower shortest; the upper 

 similar to the flowering glumes. Palea 2-keeled, usually fimbriate. 

 Lodicules 3, ciliate, membranous. Stamens 6. Caryopsis with a 

 longitudinal furrow, often adhering to the palea and flowering 

 glume. 



Branches spine scent. Leaves with longitudinal 



nerves distinct, transverse not so 1. B. arundinacea^ 



Unarmed. Leaves with distinct, transvei-se veiiw, 2. B. rnlffarif^ 



