The leaf-sheath is scaberulous, keeled. The ligule is a line of fine hairs.
The leaf-blade is wiry, narrow, linear, flexuous, rigid, acute, smooth, flat or complicate, keeled, 2 to 3 inches long and up to 1/6 inch wide.
The spikes are solitary, 10 to 12 inches long bearing spikelets unilaterally.
Fig. 227.—Eragrostis bifaria.
1 and 1a. Spikelets; 2. and 3. empty glumes; 4 and 5. the flowering glume and its palea; 6. the ovary, stamens and the lodicules.
The spikelets are ovate or ovoid to oblong, much compressed, usually 15- to 20-flowered and up to 40 and then linear, 1/4 to 2/3 inch long, spreading, green or olive grey. The empty glumes are one-nerved and keeled. The first glume is longer than the second glume, very acute or acuminate. The second glume is smaller than the first, with stout rounded keel. The flowering glumes are as long or slightly shorter than the first glume, broadly ovate, sub-acuminate, with faint nerves and paleate; palea is shorter than its glume and with ciliate wings to the keel. Stamens are three. Grain is free.
This grass is very common in the plains in somewhat wet situations all over the Presidency.
Distribution.—Deccan Peninsula in India and also in Tropical Africa.