Order GRAMINEfE, 
Genus Sporobolus, Brown. 
S u b-O rder A o r o st i d e m , 
Genus XIII.—SPOROBOLUS, 
Brown. 
Spihelets minute, i-flowered, in spike-like contracted panicles. Empty glumes 2, unequal, awnless. 
Flowering glume sessile, awnless. Palea large. Scales 2. Stamens 1—3. Grain free, terete, with a 
lax pericarp. Distribution of Genus: TROPICAL and SUB-TROPICAL CLIMAXES, 
southern parts of AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND. Etymology: From two Greek words meaning 
“ a seed,” and “ casting forth,” from the grain being easily shaken out. 
l._ SPOROBOLUS ELONGATUS. 
RAT-TAIL, OR CHILIAN GRASS. 
(Plate XVIII.) 
Storobolus elongatus, Brown. Hook, hi, FI. N.Z., I., 295 ; Handb. N.Z. Flora, I., 326. 
A hard, wiry, tough, glabrous grass, at low altitudes. Flowers November—January. Perennial. 
Roots wiry, fibrous, creeping. Stem 1—2 feet high. Leaves spreading, flat or involute ; ligule short, 
sheaths furrowed. Panicle 6—12 inches long, spike-like, much contracted, sometimes lobed below. 
Spihelets pedicelled. Empty glumes small, unequal, 1-nerved. Flowering glume much larger, oblong- 
acuminate, 3-nerved. Palea oblong-acuminate, 1-nerved. Scales narrow, acute. Ovary abrupt at top, 
sessile. Anthers stout, short. Stigmas nearly sessile, feathery. Grain terete, truncate at top, and 
pointed at base; often found adherent to the mouth of the floret. Distribution of Species : THE 
SAME AS THE GENUS, probably introduced to New Zealand. 
This grass affords good pasture for horses and cattle, but, from its tough fibrous structure, is not 
adapted for sheep; and, as it spreads with great rapidity by the roots, it would be injudicious to intro¬ 
duce it on sheep-runs. In the neighbouring Colony of Victoria much ground has been overrun by 
this grass within the last few years, to the great detriment of the pasture, as it chokes out better 
Grasses ; and, however nutritious its tough foliage may be, it cannot be eaten in sufficient quantity 
by sheep, and especially by broken-mouthed ewes. In New Zealand this grass was, until within 
a few years, confined to the District of Auckland, but it has now spread as far south as Napier 
and Wellington. Although a tropical grass, it appears to have an extensive range of temperature 
within which it ripens seed; and it will be interesting to observe, in its further progress southwards, into 
the colder latitudes of New Zealand, if its ability to ripen seed continues co-extensive with the plant’s 
growth. The moist atmosphere of Auckland has already produced a curious change in this grass, 
