Fig. 228.—Oropetium Thomæum.
1. Spike; 2. spikelet; 3 and 4. empty glumes; 5. flowering glume; 6 and 7. flowering glume and its palea; 8. the ovary, stamens and lodicules.
The spikelets are very small, one-flowered, half immersed in the alternating distichous cavities of the rachis. There are three glumes in the spikelet. The first glume is very minute, hyaline and sunk in the hollow of the rachis. The second glume is the longest, linear-lanceolate, rigid, tip obtuse or emarginate, slightly convex with a broad thickened centre and recurved in fruit. The third glume is shorter than the second, hyaline, broader obtuse, semi-circular in profile, excessively membranous, with the callus bearded and paleate; palea is smaller than the glume. There are three stamens. Grain is oblong, terete, free.
This small grass is very common all over the Presidency in the plains in moist places.
Distribution.—Plains of India, Burma and Ceylon.
GLOSSARY.
A
Acuminate applied to the apex of a leaf having a gradually diminishing point, [49]. Acute applied to the apex of a leaf distinctly and sharply pointed but not drawn out, [53]. Adventitious roots roots which do not arise from the radicle or its subdivisions, but from parts other than these, [7]. Aleurone layer a special peripheral layer in the grain of grasses, consisting of cells filled with proteid granules, [18]. Amplexicaul applied to the base of the leaf when it embraces the stem, [12]. Apiculate said of the apex when it has a sharp, short point. Appressed lying flat for the whole length of the part or organ, [59]. Articulate jointed, [45]. Auricle outgrowth at the sides close to the ligular region, [11]. Awned having an awn, that is, a bristle-like appendage, especially on the glumes of grasses.
B