led
spikelets; 2, 3, 4 and 6. the first, second, third and the fourth glume,
respectively, of the sessile spikelet; 5 and 7. palea of the third and
the fourth glumes, respectively; 8. ovary, stamens and lodicules; 9.
first glume of the pedicelled spikelet.]

The _spikelets_ are 1/6 to 1/3 inch long, the sessile and the pedicelled
closely pressed together, glabrous or hairy; the callus of the sessile
spikelet broad and thick, with or without hairs. The _sessile spikelet_
is awned and consists of four glumes. The _first glume_ is 1/5 inch long
or less, oblong or linear-oblong, cartilaginous below the middle, with
two to four (or rarely up to six) marginal nodules on each edge,
sometimes these are connected by shallow ridges, thinner above the
middle, with green anastomosing veins, tip obtuse or 2-toothed, and
margins narrowly incurved. The _second glume_ is chartaceous,
lanceolate, acuminate, 1-nerved and with a smooth rounded keel. The
_third glume_ is ovate-lanceolate, membranous, 1-nerved, acuminate, male
or bisexual with an oblong palea. The _fourth glume_ is cleft to or
below the middle into lanceolate acute lobes, with a brownish red awn
1/2 inch or more long at the sinus twisted at the lower portion and
straight above, paleate, usually female; _palea_ is linear oblong. The
_pedicelled spikelet_ is as long as the sessile, inarticulate on the
very thick, short pedicel which is densely or sparsely hairy at the
base. The _first glume_ is scimitar-shaped, coriaceous, acute, with a
somewhat semi-circular wing. The other _glumes_ are as in sessile
spikelets, but the fourth glume has no awn and may have a mucro.

This grass is a variable one. There is much variation in the breadth of
the leaves and in the markings and hairiness of the spikelets. The
spikelets may be glabrous or hairy and the marking in the first glume of
the sessile spikelets varies in the matter of marginal nodules--it may
have mere shallow notches or deep well-formed nodules and there may be
transverse ridges or they may be absent. This grass is abundant on the
West Coast and rare in the East Coast.

_Distribution._--Throughout the plains and lower hills of India and
Ceylon.

[Illustration: Fig. 131.--Ischaemum aristatum.

A. A portion of the raceme showing the joints; B. a sessile and a
pedicelled spikelet. 1, 2, 3 and 6. the first, second, third and the
fourth glume, respectively; 4 and 5. palea of the third and the fourth
glume; 7. ovary and lod