Fig. 212.—Leptochloa chinensis.
1. A portion of the spike; 2 and 3. the first and the second glume; 4 and 5 the flowering glume and its palea; 6. the stamens and the ovary.

The spikelets are small, shortly stalked, 4- to 8-flowered, 1/10 to 1/6 inch with the rachilla produced between the flowering glumes. The first glume is small, oblong, obtuse or apiculate. The second glume is similar to the first but twice as long as the first glume. The third glume and the succeeding flowering glumes are ovate-oblong, obtuse or apiculate, with sub-marginal lateral veins; palea are broadly oblong with silkily ciliate keels. Anthers are usually very small. Grain is oblong, obtusely trigonous, or concavo-convex, red-brown and rugulose on the ventral side.

This grass is very common amidst paddy in wet lands and in wet situations.

Distribution.—Throughout India and Ceylon in wet places. Also in China, Japan and Australia.

CHAPTER X.
TRIBES VII AND VIII—FESTUCACEÆ AND HORDEÆ.

Festucaceæ is of minor importance as it is not well represented in the South India. Only about half a dozen genera occur and most of them on the hills. The spikelets are usually 2- or more-flowered, pedicelled and in panicles, open or contracted. The rachilla is produced beyond the flowering glumes and articulate at the base just above the empty glumes.