the point of junction with the
sheath.

The _inflorescence_ is a raceme of spikes, varying from 1-1/2 to 3-1/2
inches, with the spikes mostly densely arranged, though occasionally
distant and not close-set, on a long; slender, puberulous or scaberulous
peduncle; _rachis_ is flexuous, flattened, grooved and scaberulous. The
_spikes_ have involucels, consisting of two series of bristles, the
outer bristles are horizontal or reflexed, numerous, fine, filiform,
scabrid and purple above, shorter or longer than the spikelets; the
inner bristles are two to three times longer than the spikelets,
flattened and thickened at the base with a strong green nerve, ciliated
with long tubercle-based hairs; one of the bristles is longer than the
others and the bases of the bristles are connate at the very base into a
ring; the upper portion of the bristles are filiform, scabrid and
purple, the lower flattened portion being pale.

[Illustration: Fig. 116.--Pennisetum cenchroides.

1. A portion of a spike; 2 and 3. spikelets with their involucels; 4. a
bristle; 5, 6, 7 and 8. the first, second, third and the fourth glume,
respectively; 7a and 8a. palea of the third and the fourth glume,
respectively; 9. ovary and stamens.]

_Spikelets_ are about 1/5 inch long oblong-lanceolate, one to three in a
spike and sessile.

There are four _glumes_ in a spikelet. The _first glume_ is small,
hyaline, ovate-lanceolate, acute, nerveless or sometimes 1-nerved. The
_second glume_ is a little longer than the first, ovate, acute, about
half of the third glume, hyaline, 1 to 3-nerved. The _third glume_ is
ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, generally 5- to 7-nerved, paleate, usually
male; _palea_ is lanceolate, equal to or slightly shorter than the
glume. The _fourth glume_ is as long as the third with a broad hyaline
margin, 5-nerved paleate; palea as long as the glume. _Anthers_ are
three, yellow, _stigmas_ white, feathery and the styles shortly united
at the base. _Lodicules_ are not present.

This is the famous Kolakattai grass (Tamil) of the Coimbatore District
and it grows in all kinds of soil and is capable of growing even when
the soil is dry. It is readily eaten by cattle, sheep, goat and when
once established is not easily killed out even by prolonged droughts. It
is in flower in June, November and December.

_Distribution._--Fairly common in South India and Western India. Said to
occur in Tropical Africa also.

There is a variety of this grass