Order GRAM IN E/E. 
Genus Paspalum. 
Sub-Order Panice/e. 
Genus VI.—PASPALUM. Linnaeus. 
Spikelets in the New Zealand species ovoid, much compressed, arranged in two rows on one side of a flat 
rachis , i-flowered, short, acute, or obtuse, without a callus at the base. Empty, glumes 2—3, unequal; 
lower glume usually very small. Flowering glume hardening, and enclosing the palea and grain ; all 
obtuse or acute, awnless. Scales 2, short, fleshy. Stamens 3. Grain free within the hardened glume. 
Distribution op Genus: EAST INDIES, WEST INDIES, NORTH AMERICA, PERU, 
WEST AFRICA, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND. Etymology: One of the Greek names for 
“ Millet.” 
Arrangement of the Species :— 
Erect. Leaves flat. Spikelets obtuse ... ... ... 1. Paspalum scrobitulatum. 
Creeping. Leaves involute. Spikelets acute ... ... 2. JPaspalum clistichum. 
1.—PASPALUM SCROBITULATUM. 
DITCH MILLET. 
{Plate X. A.) 
Paspalum orbiculare, Forster. 
Paspalum scrobitulatum, Linnasus. Llook. fib, FI. N.Z., I., 291; Handb. N.Z. Flora, L, 323. 
A glabrous, erect, dark-brownish-green grass, ranging from the sea-level to 500 feet altitude. 
Flowers December—January. Perennial. Culms tufted, 1—3 feet high, often forming small tussacs. 
Leaves broad, flat, or wrinkled, rough at the margin, often hairy at the base; ligule short, broad, 
rounded at top. Spikes 2—6, alternate, 1—2 inches long; rachis flat, bristly at the base. Spikelets 
imbricate, in two series, sessile, orbicular, L—L-inch long. Empty glumes 2, membranous, i-nerved. 
Flowering glume concave, faintly 3-nerved. Palea flat, faintly 2-nerved. Scales 2, short, fleshy, 
truncate. Stamens 3, large. Styles long. Stigmas penicillate, shorter than the styles. Grain round, 
thin, plano-convex, free within the hardened glume and palea. Distribution of Species : EASE 
INDIES, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND. 
