The leaf-blade is linear, coriaceous, convolute, glabrous, strongly nerved, 6 to 12 inches long.
The inflorescence is a contracted panicle varying from 6 to 18 inches with short, erect or subsecund branches.
Fig. 173.—Aristida setacea.
1. The spikelet; 2 and 3. the first and the second glume; 4. the lower portion of the third glume, anther, ovary and the lodicules; 5. palea of the third glume.
The spikelets vary from 1/2 to 2/3 inch excluding the awn. There are three glumes. The first glume is about 3/8 inch long, lanceolate-linear, narrowed into a short awn. The second glume is longer than the first, 1-nerved and minutely 2-toothed or notched at the base of the awn. The third glume is 5/8 inch long, 3-nerved, nearly smooth. The callus of the third glume is long, densely silkily hairy with three awns not jointed at the base with the glume; awns about 1 inch or more. Lodicules are ovate-lanceolate, fairly large. Grain is narrow, cylindrical.
This grass grows in open dry situations in many parts of the Presidency.
Distribution.—All over India.