MONOCOTYLEDONS (continued 3)

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat, Gendua River).

872Eriochloa acrotricha Hack.

Tufted annual. Stems leafy, ½ to over 2 ft. long. Inflorescence a narrow panicle 1½-4 in. long with a few, or up to 10, racemes widely spaced on the same axis. Spikelets in 2 series, dorsally compressed; lower glume rudimentary, forming with the base of the stalk a bead-like process, oval pointed, with a fine bristle, up to ⅙ in. long.

Nubia, Red Sea Prov. (Sinkat); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Upper White Nile Prov. (Meshra El Zeraf).

873Brachiaria dictyoneura Stapf.

Perennial 1½-3 ft. high, leaves narrow, sheathing the flower stalk. Inflorescence consisting of 3-6 widely spaced spike-like racemes, having the spikelets arranged on one side. Racemes dense, about 2 in. long; spikelets largish, 1/5 in. long, oval, silkily hairy, often flushed with purple, lower glume present, almost as long as the spikelet, 11-nerved.

Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Kordofan Prov.

B. fulva Stapf.

Perennial up to 3 ft. high. Leaves narrow. Inflorescence of a similar type to above, but racemes 4-12, closer spaced, 1¾ in. long, arched, with reddish or yellowish hairs. Spikelets densely hairy, closely arranged, about ⅛ in. long, oval.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur. Agada, Bongo land, Matia Addai); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).

B. stigmatisata Stapf.

Annual, over 2 ft. high, ascending from a leafy base. Leaves broad, narrowly oval with crisped spiny margins, from 1 to over 7 in. long by ¼-½ in. wide. Inflorescence of 1-3 spike-like racemes, widely spaced on a common axis, ¾-2 in. long. Racemes dense, 1-2½ in. long; spikelets closely arranged, 1/16 to 1/5 in. long, not hairy, prominently nerved, pale yellowish.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).

B. mutica Stapf.

Perennial grass 3-6 ft. high (occasionally 8 ft.). Leaves smooth, narrow, hairy on the sheaths. Inflorescence 4-8 in. long, consisting of numerous, sometimes paired racemes 1-3 in. long. Spikelets about ⅛ in. long, almost touching, oval; stigmas blackish purple, very conspicuous.

A valuable fodder grass.

White Nile Prov. (Lat. 12° 10′ N.); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).

B. brizantha Stapf.

Perennial, coarse grass up to over 6 ft. high, leaves narrow, up to 15 in. long. Inflorescence one-sided, consisting of 2-8 arching racemes, widely set apart on a common axis, which is triangular in section. Racemes usually long, up to 6 in., closely set with rather large (¼ in. long) swollen spikelets. Lower glume small, conspicuously nerved, often purple, clasping the spikelet.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat, Matamma); Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam country, Ibba River, Nganye and Bongo-Land, Gir and Kulongo); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).

B. callopus Stapf.

Annual, over 2 ft. high, copiously rooting from the lower nodes. Leaves sheathing the flowering stem, narrow, finely hairy inside. Inflorescence erect, about 6 in. long, of 6-8 erect, one-sided, almost equally distant racemes. Axis sharply triangular, racemes dense, 2-ranked, 2 in. long (the lowest), to ⅔ in. long (the upper). Spikelets touching, elliptic, acute, pale straw coloured, definitely stalked, stalk globose.

Bahr El Ghazal Prov. (Bongo land: Gir).

B. obtusiflora Stapf. UM KHIRR—Arab; AJOAK—Dinka.

Annual up to 6 ft. high, stems stout. Leaves narrow, generally smooth. Inflorescence up to over 6 in. long, very loose, consisting of 5-8 dense, spike-like racemes widely spaced on a common axis. Racemes 2-3 in. long; spikelets stalked, ½ in. long, ellipsoid in shape, swollen, pale yellow.

A good fodder grass, the ripe seeds are edible.

Red Sea Prov.; Kordofan Prov. (Khor Abu Habl, Wad El Ghall, 40 miles S. of Abu Zabbad); Upper White Nile Prov. (Goz el Siada).

B. regularis Stapf.

Annual, rarely over 1½ ft. high, stems leafy; leaves broad (up to ½ in.) and up to 6 in. long, tapering to a fine point. Inflorescence a loose panicle of 5 to many lax racemes, which are about 2-3 in. long. Spikelets long stalked, loosely scattered, small, elliptic.

Nubia (Shores of the Red Sea at Mirza Eleri, Lat. 22° 12′ N.L., Wadi Dimehadit, between Suakin and Berber); Fung Prov. (Shellal); Kordofan Prov. (Um Ruaba); Darfur Prov. (Suruj District and Kulme).

B. glauca Stapf.

Perennial (?), 1 to almost 2 ft. high, densely tufted on a short rhizome, pale green, stems slender. Leaves narrow, tapering. Inflorescence 3-5 in. long, of 3-9 racemes, 1-1½ in. long at the base, the upper shorter. Spikelets broad oblong, slightly swollen, about ⅛ in. long, fairly closely set.

Nubia; Red Sea Prov. (Wadi Omareg, Sinkat).

B. leersioides Stapf.

Annual, 1-2 ft. high, whole plant pale green, tufted, stems leafy, leaves narrow, tapering. Inflorescence up to 6 in. long, very lax, racemes 4-12, widely spaced, short (1½ in. long). Spikelets fairly dense, on a wavy slightly hairy axis, about ⅛ in. long, rather narrow, stalked.

Nubia; Red Sea Prov. (Wadi Omareg, Sinkat).

B. Isachne Stapf. DEFERA, EL KURDA (Kordn)—Arab.

Annual, 1-2 ft. high, loosely tufted, with fine fibrous roots and slender spreading stems. The leaves are smooth, occasionally hairy, 1-2 in. long, by ¼-⅓ in. broad. The inflorescence is an erect narrow panicle, 2-3 in. long of 5-12 erect racemes, which are pressed to the axis and are ½-1 in. long; the spikelets are small, 1/16 in. long, all arranged on one side, and closely packed in two rows, pale green or purplish in colour, with very short stalks, which are softly hairy; the lower glume is reduced to a minute nerveless scale.

A good fodder grass (not the common Defera, see No. 877).

Widely distributed.

B. epaleata Stapf.

Annual, up to 1½ ft. high. Leaves fairly broad, tapering to a point, 2-4 in. by 1/6-5/12 in., margins crisped, cartilaginous. Panicle very loose, 2½-4 in. by 1-2 in., of 6-8 moderately distant racemes. Spikelets widely set on racemes, which are 1½-3 in. long, stalks ⅛ in. long; lower glume ⅓ to ½ length of the spikelet, distinctly nerved.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat and Metamma).

B. Kotschyana Stapf.

Annual, ½ to over 2 ft. high, stems rather stout and leafy; leaves broad at the base and tapering to a point, 1-3 in. by 1/6-5/12 in., stiff and somewhat succulent, margins cartilaginous, minutely spiny, markedly crisped. Panicle up to over 6 in. long, loose, consisting to 6 to many oblique, moderately distant racemes, the lowest ½ to over 3 in., the upper gradually shortening. Spikelets in clusters, which are separated by about their own length, lower glumes purple.

Kordofan Prov. (J. Kōn); Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).

B. jubata Stapf.

Kordofan Prov.

874Paspalum auriculatum Presl.

Probably perennial grass up to over 1½ ft. high; leaves broad, rounded at the base, tapering to a fine point, 6-8 in. by ⅓-1 in. Inflorescence of 3 racemes, with sometimes a fourth from the base of the peduncle, 1-2 in. long, axis winged at sides. Racemes 1½-3 in. long; spikelets 2-ranked crowded, ovate, ⅛ in. long, brown, smooth, conspicuously flat on one side, which side is turned from the axis. Lower glume absent.

Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam land; Tuhami’s Zariba).

P. scrobiculatum Linn. var. Commersonii Stapf.

Perennial, 1 to over 2 ft. high. Leaves narrow, up to 9 in. by ⅓ in., from an equally wide or slightly narrowed base. Inflorescence of mostly 2, less often 3 or 1, very rarely 4, spike-like racemes at the end of a flattened common axis. Racemes hairy at the base, from 1-2 in. long. Spikelets 2-ranked, mostly back to back, roundly ovate, dull brown in colour, lower glume absent.

A fodder grass, but reputed unwholesome at the time of ripening.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat Metamma); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas, Niamniam land); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).

875Paspalidium desertorum Stapf.

Tufted perennial, springing from a hard, stout, brownish, creeping rhizome; stems many jointed, often trailing, throwing up leafy branches with swollen joints. Leaves smooth, grey-green in colour, and covered with a waxy bloom, narrow from an equally wide base, tapering to a point. Inflorescence from 1 to 6 in. long, of a varying number of short, spike-like racemes pressed close to the axis, rather widely spaced below, closer above. Racemes slender, 2 ranked; spikelets numerous, ovate, acute, touching, about ⅛ in. long, sometimes tinged with purple, falling at maturity. Lower glume developed.

A desert grass.

Red Sea Prov. (Wadi Omari, Wadi Yumga); Berber Prov. (Walad el Assal); Kordofan Prov.

876Urochloa trichopus Stapf.

Annual, forming small tufts, 1-3 ft. high; leaves fairly broad, sheathing at the base, tapering to an acute point, 2½-6 in. by ½-6 in., pale, smooth with hairy margins, or sometimes hairy all over. Inflorescence of 4-9 erect, often slightly bent, plump, one-sided racemes. Racemes very dense, 2-ranked, up to 2½ in. long. Spikelets very close, overlapping, broad ovate, over ⅙ in. long, pale green. Glumes papery, hairy, lower glume developed.

Very similar to Brachiaria, but distinguished by the arrangement of the spikelets, and by the presence of a short fine point from the obtuse apex of the fertile valve.

Red Sea Prov. (Tokar); Kordofan Prov. (Abu Haraza, Katul Gambara).

U. pullulans Stapf.

Perennial, from a short rhizome covered with thin yellowish scales, stems erect, up to 3 ft. Leaves often hairy, rather broad in the well developed specimens, base broad, clasping, tapering to a fine point. Inflorescence of 5-10 (sometimes fewer), spikelike, one-sided racemes, 2-3½ in. long. Spikelets elliptic-oblong, often purplish, axis wavy. Glumes membranous, the lower almost as long as the upper; the short sharp point of the fertile valve conspicuous, not very hairy in Sudan specimens.

Red Sea Prov. (Suakin-Tokar road).

U. Helopus Stapf.

Annual, tufted grass, 1-2 ft. high. Leaves pale, hairy, up to ½ in. wide by up to 6 in. long. Lance-shaped. Inflorescence of 4-7, erect, rather stiff, 2-ranked racemes, 1-2 in. long. Spikelets oval, sharply pointed, strongly ribbed, rather swollen, lower glume less than ½ the length of the spikelet.

Dongola Prov. Nubian Desert.

U. insculpta Stapf.

Annual, grass up to 4-5 ft. high, growing in scanty tufts. Leaves broad and round at the base, long tapering to a slender point, up to 9 in. long, and 1 in. wide, pale, very slightly, if at all, hairy along the edges. Inflorescence borne on a slender stalk, brush-like, consisting of many (sometimes reduced to 5 or 6), erect, crowded racemes, 1-3 in. long. Spikelets up to ⅛ in. long (elliptic in shape, with a short strong point), finely hairy. Lower glume ⅓ to ½ the length of the spikelet, with 3-5 nerves.

A good fodder grass.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat, Metamma); Fung Prov. (Disa); Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).

U. reptans Stapf.

Prostrate or creeping grass, throwing up stems from the rooting joints of the long decumbent base, the erect stems up to 1½ in. high. Leaves broad, lance-shaped, up to 2½ in. long and ¾ in. broad, rounded at the base, acutely pointed at the tip. Inflorescence from 1-3 in. long, consisting of a few up to 12 obliquely erect, slender one-sided racemes about 1 in. long, which are fairly widely placed on the axis. Spikelets small (1/12 in.), often purplish, elliptic (lower glume very small). A good fodder grass.

Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).

877Echinochloa colona Link. DEFERA or DIFERA—Arab.

Annual, growing in small spreading tufts. Leaves sometimes hairy, narrow, often with dark purple cross bands. Inflorescence up to 5 in. long, narrow, consisting of few to 6 widely spaced short branches. Spikelets crowded, often purplish, ovate or elliptic, sharply pointed, 5-7-nerved, minutely hairy between the nerves. Grain 1/16 in. long, broad elliptic in outline.

One of the best fodder grasses.

Widely distributed in Northern and Central Sudan, including Darfur.

E. Crus Pavonis Schult. KUZ—Nuer; KAM (or AKAM) (Bahr el Jebel)—Dinka.

Annual up to 5 ft. high, with copious plump root fibres. Stems erect, up to ¼ in. thick, spongy below. Leaves 5-15 in. long, and up to 1¼ in. wide, from a narrowed base, and tapering to a fine point. Inflorescence erect, large (4-12 in. long), lance-shaped, rather feathery; lower branches up to 4 in. long, dense. Spikelets nearly ⅛ in. long, narrow, strongly ribbed, glumes shortly awned (⅛ in.) from the entire acute tip, minutely hairy, purplish or dark in colour.

Mongalla Prov. (Yei River); Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam land).

E. pyramidalis Hitchcock and Chase. UM SUF—Arab; KUZ—Nuer; KAM (or AKAM) (Bahr el Jebel)—Dinka.

Perennial, reed-like grass up to 15 ft. high. Stems ascending from a long thick abundantly rooting, often floating base. Leaves narrow, 1-2 ft. long by ¼-1 in. broad, flat, narrow at the base, long tapering to a point, the lower sheathing portion coarsely bearded. Inflorescence erect or somewhat nodding, up to over 1 ft. long, rather narrow, dense, branches numerous, 1-6 in. long. Spikelets ovate, up to ⅙ in. long, very crowded, often coloured blackish purple, awnless, but strongly tipped. Axis hairy with long silky hairs.

One of the common plants of the Sudd region. A good fodder grass, the grain is sometimes used for food.

Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Darfur Prov. (J. Marra, Niurnya, 6,500 ft.); Kordofan Prov. (Birket Rahad); Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Bongo, Tonj, Niamniam land); Upper Nile Prov. (Tonga); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River, Bor, Mongalla); Bahr el Jebel (Lat. 7° 25 N. and 8° 30 N.).

E. stagnina P. Beauv. HELEW—Arab.

Stout perennial grass, rising to 6 ft. from long creeping and copiously rooting rhizomes; leaves narrow, long tapering to a fine point, up to 1½ ft. long by 1 in. wide, very rough upwards. Inflorescence up to 10 in. long, nodding, narrow and often open, branches dense. Spikelets up to ¼ in. long, plump, tapering at both ends, awns up to 1 in. long (often less).

An excellent fodder.

Red Sea Prov. (near Tokar); Blue Nile Prov. (Sherif); Upper White Nile Prov. (Mouth of Sobat River); Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Shambe, Meshra El Rek & Jur Ghattas).

878Acroceras amplectens Stapf.

Annual grass, 2-2½ ft. high, stems ascending from a prostrate and rooting base, or sometimes floating in water. Lower portion of leaf, i.e., leaf sheath, strongly developed, prominently striate. Leaf blades narrow, from a broad clasping rounded base, tapering to a fine point, 3-6 in. long by ¼ to ½ in. at the base. Inflorescence very long and slender, consisting of 4-6 long, slender, branches, widely spaced. Spikelets large (¼ in.), narrow, stalked, distantly placed, pressed to the axis, pale in colour, bluntly pointed.

Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).

879Oplismenus Burmannii P. Beauv.

Annual, up to 1½ ft. high, stems very slender, ascending from a long prostrate rambling and rooting base. Leaf sheaths loose and very hairy, blades hairy, lance-shaped, narrowed at the base and tapered to a fine point, ¾-2 in. long by ⅙-½ in. wide. Inflorescence very narrow, 1-3 in. long, consisting of 3-8 small branches ½ in. long. Spikelets crowded, very hairy, glumes awned from the slightly notched tip, awn fine, about ½ in. long.

Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Abu Gurun’s Zariba).

880Panicum Meyerianum Nees.

Perennial, about 3 ft. high; stems rigid, hairy at the joints. Leaf sheaths long, clasping the stem, pale green or straw coloured, blades narrow, lance-shaped, from a contracted base, 3-8 in. by ¼-½ in. Inflorescence an open panicle 3-6 in. long, lower branches 2-3 in. long. Spikelets rather crowded, ovate, ⅛ in. long, often tinged with purple, pedicels very short. Glumes very different, lower minute, upper membranous, faintly 5 nerved, fertile valve minutely pointed.

Between Berber and Khartoum; Blue Nile Prov. (Dinder mouth); Fung Prov. (Singa); Kordofan Prov.; Mongalla Prov. (Bor).

P. maximum Jacq.

Perennial, grass up to 10 ft. high, densely tufted. Stems stout, hairy at the joints. Leaves often thinly covered with long fine hairs, narrow, little contracted at the base. Inflorescence an erect or nodding open panicle, from ½ to over 1½ ft. long, lower branches in a whorl, up to 1 ft. long, flowering in the upper half. Spikelets widely set, stalked, up to ⅙ in. long, shiny light green or tinged with purple. Lower glume ¼ to ⅓ length of spikelet, upper same size as spikelet.

This grass is often called Guinea Grass, and is cultivated as a fodder in various parts of the tropics.

Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam land, Nabambisso River); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).

P. trichocladum Hack.

Perennial, rambling or climbing up to 8 ft. Stems slender, many jointed, branched, forming a dense mass, roots often found in swamps or standing water. Leaf sheaths long, often breaking away from the stem, blades spreading horizontally, lance-shaped from a very contracted base, 1½-6 in. by ¼-½ in. Panicle very loose and rather scanty, 2-6 in. by 2-3 in., branches slender, very wavy. Spikelets widely set, often long stalked, up to ⅛ in. Lower glume very small.

Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).

P. carinifolium Stapf.

Perennial, 4-5 ft. high. Leaves long, narrow towards the base with recurved margins and a much projecting midrib. Inflorescence fairly dense, rather irregular, 4-5 in. by 1-2 in., branches very slender. Spikelets rather swollen, very small, prominently ribbed.

Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).

P. fulgens Stapf.

Perennial, up to 2 ft. high, forming large tufts. Leaves very narrow, 2-5 in. by 1-12 to ⅛ in. Panicle erect, fairly loose and open, 2½-5 in. by 1-1½ in. Spikelets smooth with a conspicuous bronze lustre, almost globose, very small.

Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).

P. Dregeanum Nees.

Perennial, compactly tufted, with a coat of persistent leaf bases, 1-4 ft. high. Leaves very narrow, up to 9 in. long by 1/12 to 1/5 in. wide, tapering to a slender point. Panicle fairly dense, brush-like, 3-7 in. by 1½-3 in. Spikelets about ⅛ in. long, purplish, more or less gaping.

Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).

P. aphanoneurum Stapf.

Perennial, densely tufted, 4-7 ft. high, stems stout, reed-like. Leaves ½ to 1½ ft. by ⅙-½ in., narrow from an equally wide base, tapering. Panicle rather loose, ½ to over 1 ft. by 2-5 in., irregularly branched at the base. Spikelets widely gaping; tinged with purple, upper glume faintly 5-nerved.

Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Bongo land, Dukutu, River Roah).

P. callosum Hochst.

Annual, up to 3 ft. high, stems slender. Leaves narrow from an attenuated base, up to over 1½ ft. by ¼-5/12 in., often finely hairy. Panicles broom-like, open, loose and narrow, often over 1 ft. long. Spikelets large, elliptic, ¼ in. long, on long fine stalks up to ¾ in. long.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat Metamma).

P. sociale Stapf.

A delicate annual, up to almost 1 ft. high, growing in dense stands, finely hairy all over. Leaves erect, 1-1½ in. by ⅛-⅙ in., yellowish green. Panicles 2-3 in. by 1½ in., widely open. Spikelets ⅛ in. long, upper floret dark chestnut brown to black, finely polished, forming a false fruit.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat, Matamma).

P. atrosanguineum Hochst.

A tufted annual grass from a few inches to over 1 ft. high, hairy all over except the panicle. Leaves lance-shaped from a rounded base, 1-4 in. by ⅙-⅓ in. Panicle very open and spreading, 3-6 in. by 1½-3 in. Spikelets elliptic, minutely pointed, purple.

Nubian Desert; Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).

P. haplocaulos Pilger.

Annual about 1 ft. high, growing in close stands. Stems very slender. Leaves very narrow and pointed. Panicles reduced to a common axis and 1-3 widely spaced branches each bearing 1-4 spikelets. Spikelets 1/9 in. long, striate.

Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).

P. turgidum Forsk. TUMAM & ABU RUKBA—Arab; SHUSH—Hadendowa.

Bushy grass up to 4 ft. high with stout roots and hard rigid stems, and having secondary shoots springing from the joints. Leaves very variable in size, tapering to a fine point, those supporting branches soon drying and becoming straw coloured. Panicles variable in size, often scanty, branches slender, spikelets about ⅙ in. long, ovoid, tapering; glumes membranous, ribbed.

Widely distributed in North and Central Sudan and Darfur.

P. repens Linn.

Perennial up to 2 (rarely 4 ft.) high; rhizome long, creeping stem very leafy, many jointed; leaves very narrow, sharply pointed, hairy at the base, folded inwards. Panicle 3-8 in. long, loose; branches 2-6 in. long. Spikelets 1/12-1/10 in. Said to be good fodder plant and also useful as a sandbinder.

Bahr el Jebel (Hillet el Nuer).

P. porphyrrhizos Steud.

Perennial up to over 3 ft. high, densely tufted on a short rhizome. Leaves narrow, long tapering to a hard slender point. Panicles large and loose, slender, spikelets 1/10-1/6 in. long, with a long slender point, green or often tinged with purple.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat Metamma); Fung Prov. (Fazoghli).

P. coloratum Linn.

Tufted perennial grass up to 4 ft. high. Stems stout, often shortly creeping at the base before ascending. Leaves 3-12 in. by ¼-½ in., tapering. Panicle open, composed of long slender branches, bearing scattered spikelets on slender pedicels. Spikelets small 1/12-1/8 in., moderately gaping, green or tinged with purple.

Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).

P. hygrocharis Steud.

Annual tufted grass up to 2 ft. high. Stems slender, soft, bent at the joints, leafy. Leaves narrow from a rounded base, shortly tapering to a rather hard point. Panicles 3-5 in. long, rather loose and sometimes spreading, branches fairly stout, up to 3 in. long, wavy. Spikelets acutely pointed, tips cut off square, green, stalked.

Found in dried up rain pools.

Kordofan (Abu Gerad).

881Sacciolepis ciliocincta Stapf.

Annual, growing in colonies up to 1½ ft. high, stems very erect, spongy in texture, about ⅙ in. diameter. Leaf blades stiff and erect, mostly overtopping the inflorescence, linear from a narrowed base, tapering to a hard point. Inflorescence erect, straight, rather cylindric, about 1 in. long, very compact, bearded, attenuated downwards, branches fused with the axis against which the pedicels are crowded; spikelets laterally compressed, upper glume 7-nerved with a line of hairs along each side of the keel and margins.

Bahr el Ghazal (Jur Ghattas).

S. micrococca Mez.

Annual, growing in tufts or clumps up to 2½ ft. high, stems very slender from a stouter base, leaf blades very narrow, folded, almost bristle-like, up to 6 in. long. Inflorescence long, narrow, cylindric, 2½-5 in. long by 1/12-1/8 in. broad, dense. Spikelets crowded, swollen, 1/24 in. long, olive green or brown, glumes nerved.

Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).

S. interrupta Stapf.

Perennial from a short, stout, creeping rhizome, up to 5 ft. high, stems at the base copiously rooted from the nodes, sheathed all along. Leaves narrow, tapering, up to 12 in. long by ¼-½ in. wide, flat, soft, somewhat plump. Inflorescence at first sheathed by leaves, finally protruding, from the few inches to over 1 ft. by ¼-⅓ in., dense. Spikelets slightly compressed, not gaping, up to over ⅛ in., yellowish-green, with darker or brownish tips.

Upper White Nile (Tonga); Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).

S. typhura Stapf.

Perennial, tufted from a short rhizome, up to 3 ft. high. Stems erect, slender, leaves narrow, 6-12 in. by 1/8-5/12 in. Inflorescence erect, 5-10 in. by ¼ in., very dense. Spikelets more or less hairy, very dark in colour.

Bahr el Ghazal. (Jur Agada).

882Setaria verticillata P. Beauv. LUSEIG—Arab.

Annual grass with erect leafy stems, more or less branched and varying in height from 1-5 ft. Leaves are thin, flat, sparsely hairy, base usually narrowed, tapering to a fine point, 4-10 in. long and ¼-¾ in. broad. The inflorescence is cylindric, coarsely bristly, spikelets having more than one bristle, the barbs of which are reversed making inflorescence rough upwards.

Red Sea Prov. (Tokar); Berber Prov.; Fung Prov.; Darfur Prov. (Zalingei 3,100 ft.).

S. ambigua Stapf.

Annual grass 1-2 ft. high, with rather weak jointed stem. Leaves long and narrow, 12 in. by ⅓ in., base narrowed. The inflorescence is cylindric, but is interrupted, forming two or more lobes. The spikelets are greenish with 3 or more short bristles which are smooth to the feel upwards, i.e., barbs erect. Grain tightly enclosed in hardened glume, about 1/6 in. long.

Khartoum Prov.

S. viridis P. Beauv.

Annual grass 1-2 ft. high with slender leafy stems. Leaves very finely pointed from a rounded base, up to 4 in. long by ⅓ in. Inflorescence cylindric, up to 2 in. long, not lobed, bristles spreading, 3 or more to a spikelet, with erect barbs, spikelets greenish, grain elliptic, 1/12 in. long.

Kordofan Prov.; Darfur Prov.

S. rubiginosa Miq.

Annual grass of variable character, up to 2 ft. high. Leaves narrow, finely pointed, rounded at the base. Inflorescence dense, cylindric, narrow, yellow. Bristles more than one to spikelet, smooth to touch upwards. Grain large, up to ⅛ in., rather swollen.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat Matamma); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Kordofan Prov. (Khor Abu Habl); White Nile Prov. (Meshra el Zeraf); Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas); Mongalla Prov. (Mongalla).

S. lasiothyrsa Stapf.

Annual grass up to 2 ft. high with slender erect stems; coarsely hairy all over. Leaves long and narrow, up to 1 ft. by ⅓ in. Inflorescence up to 12 in. long, loose, with many fine, hairy branches up to 2½ in. long. Spikelets with one bristle, glumes flushed with purple and yellow.

Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Bongo land, Mashir Hills).

S. anceps Stapf. var. sericea.

Perennial up to 3 ft. high, densely tufted on a short rhizome. Basal leaves overlapping and arranged fan-like, upper leaves narrow, up to 6 in. long and ¼ in. wide, tapering, tightly folded. Inflorescence a continuous and very dense cylindrical false spike (somewhat resembling a bottle brush) 4-10 in. long. Bristles more than one at the base of the spikelet, fine, silky, bright yellow in colour. Spikelets clustered 1/12 in. long.

Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).

S. aurea A. Braun. SANGALA (N. Kordn); DANAB EL KELB (M. el Zeraf); HALFA (Fung and Kordn)—Arab; ALLOK (M. el Zeraf)—Dinka.

Strong-growing erect grass about 3 ft. high, with slender stems from a short rhizome which is covered with the remains of old scales and sheaths. Leaves long, narrow, tapering ½-1½ in. by ⅛-⅓ in., usually flat. Inflorescence erect, straight, up to 1 ft. long. Bristles more than one at the base of each spikelet, and exceeding spikelet by 1/12 in., yellowish to bright orange or reddish in colour. Spikelets clustered, ⅛ in. long. A good fodder grass.

Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Mittu-land Kaffuluku); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).

S. Schweinfurthii Herrm.

Perennial, stems stiffly erect, up to 4 ft. high; leaves very narrow from a narrowed base, up to over 2 ft. by ¼ in., tapering to a long bristle-like point, densely hairy at the base with white hairs. Inflorescence an erect, very dense continuous cylindrical false spike 5-6 in. by ¼ in. inclusive of the bristles. Bristles more than one (up to 12) to the spikelet, reddish yellow. Spikelets solitary, or rarely a cluster of 2.

Bahr el Ghazal (Jur Ghattas).

S. lancea Stapf.

Leafy annual up to 2 ft. high, stems slender, rather weak and flattened. Leaves tapering at both ends, 5-10 in. by ½-1 in. (at broadest part), thin, flat, plaited downwards fan-fashion. Inflorescence loose, panicle-like, 4-6 in. long, axis hairy. Spikelets with one slender bristle at base, elliptic, about ⅛ in. long.

Mongalla Prov. (Mongalla).

S. sp. (sp. nov.?).

Stout annual grass about 3 ft. high, stems slender, erect, tapering both ways, folded into ridges downwards, up to 12 in. long by ½ in. wide. Inflorescence open, panicle-like, up to 10 in. long, branches not hairy. Spikelets with one slender bristle from the base, both ultimately purplish or dark in colour, or at least flushed with purple.

Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).

S. sulcata Raddi.

A coarse perennial from 4-12 ft. high with stout stems. Leaves large, tapering at both ends, plaited downwards fan-wise, up to 2 ft. by 1½-2 in., hairy. Inflorescence a rather dense panicle up to 12 in. long, branches fine, up to 3 in. long, with rough margins. Spikelets with a single bristle at the base, about ⅛ in. long.

A good fodder grass.

Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River); Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (near Gumango Hill and Boddo River).

883Tricholæna rosea Nees.

Perennial or annual grass, stems loosely tufted, bent at the joints, up to 1½ ft. high. Leaves narrow, 2-8 in. by 1/12-⅓ in. long, tapering to a very fine point, sometimes tinged with red. Inflorescence a loose panicle 3-6 in. long, spikelets in tufts surrounded by fine, long, silky hairs without tubercles at the base, the whole often very pinkish in colour, upper glume frequently shortly awned, and swollen at or below the middle.

A good fodder grass.

Red Sea Prov. (Tokar and Erkowit); Nubia (Between Korosko and Berber); Fung Prov. (Abdin); Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam land).

T. sphacelata Benth.

Perennial grass up to 3 ft. high, stems creeping at the base, and rooting from the nodes. Leaves rather scanty, long, tapering to a very fine tip. Inflorescence a loose panicle up to 6 in. long (larger than T. rosea). Spikelets (more swollen at the base than T. rosea) and surrounded by long white or pink, silky hairs, those on the outer glumes being tubercular at the base.

A good fodder grass.

Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).

T. leucantha Hochst.

Perennial grass up to 2 ft. high, stems wiry, sometimes branched from the base. Panicle up to 4 in. long, loose and somewhat scaly, often narrow. Spikelets narrow, not basally swollen, lanceolate, generally whitish, hairs long, white, silky, not tubercular at the base.

Red Sea Prov. (Lat. 21° N.).

T. micrantha Schrad.

Tufted perennial with wiry stems, up to 2 ft. high. Panicle narrow, up to 3 in. long. Spikelets less hairy than above species, hairs tubercular at the base, outer glumes broader than T. leucantha, generally white in colour.

Red Sea Prov. (South of Tokar).

884Melinis minutiflora P. Beauv.

Perennial grass up to 3 ft. high, ascending from a prostrate, slender, much branched base. The whole plant is finely hairy with glandular hairs. Leaves 2-6 in. long by 1/5 to ⅓ in. broad, fine tapering. Panicle 4-8 in. long, narrow, axis and branches very slender, branchlets and stalks of spikelets hair-like. Spikelets 1/12 in. long, purplish, awn fine, ½ in. long.

Recommended as an excellent fodder grass. The glandular hairs secrete an oil which smells rather like Cummin; this is said to be repellant to the tse-tse fly.

Mongalla Prov. (Yei River District).

885Anthephora elegans Schrad.

Perennial or annual grass up to 4 ft. high, stems erect, stout, striate. Leaves very narrow, long tapering; ligule prominent, scale-like. Inflorescence a long, narrow, cylindrical spike. Clusters of spikelets spiny with outer glumes hardened and scale-like, pressed against central axis. Spikelets smooth, pale green or yellow.

A useful fodder grass.

Darfur Prov. (Kulme).

A. Hochstetteri Nees.

Perennial, similar in habit to above. Rhizome very short. Spike dark coloured, glumes narrower, tailed and hairy.

Nubia (between Korosko and Berber); Fung Prov. (opposite Zamarka).

886Pennisetum polystachyum Schult.

Erect, handsome, annual grass about 2 ft. tall. Spikes up to 6 in. long, cylindrical, continuous, with bristles up to 1½ in. in diameter, purplish-brown in colour. Anther tips not bearded, bristles slender, all free to the base, the inner copiously hairy.

A good fodder grass.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat, Matamma); Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).

P. near P. polystachyum Schultes.

Similar to above, spikes smaller, more compressed.

Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Darfur Prov. (J. Marra, (9,000 ft.).

P. pedicellatum Trin.

Erect, handsome, annual grass about 2½ ft. high; spikes 2-5 in. long, cylindrical, more or less interrupted, the spikelets being in small clusters. Bristles copious, fine, densely hairy.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat, Matamma); White Nile Prov. (Jebel Arashkol); Kordofan Prov. (Obeid to Mulbes); Darfur Prov.; Mongalla Prov. (Bari country).

P. cf. P. pedicellatum Trin.

Similar to above, spikelets densely hairy, clusters large.

Darfur Prov. (Zalingei).

P. Schweinfurthii Pilger.

Erect grass with stout stems and strongly ribbed leaves about 1 in. broad, long tapering to a fine point. Inflorescence at first enclosed in a sheath, finally up to 6 in. long, interrupted. Spikelets in clusters of 3-12, glumes hard, chaffy, with blunt ends. Bristles few, rough.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat, Matamma); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).

P. pentastachyum Hochst.

Tall annual grass with stout stems up to 4-5 ft. high. Spike cylindrical, up to 6 in. long (variable). Bristles feathery, not much exceeding the spikelets, which are long stalked.

Kordofan Prov.

P. orientale Rich.

Perennial 2-6 ft. high, erect or ascending from a densely tufted, often stout, creeping rootstock. Spike 5-16 in. long, more or less lax. Bristles much longer than the spikelet, fine, feathery, purplish. Spikelets sessile or shortly stalked.

Red Sea Prov. (Lat. 21° N.).

P. unisetum Benth. MUGHREIB (Fung)—Arab.

Perennial, 3-12 ft. high, branched particularly from the upper joints, leaf sheaths conspicuously long. Inflorescence very loose and feathery. Racemes numerous, ½-2 in. long, on very slender stalks. Spikelets single, overlapping, one bristle at the base of each, rough, not feathery.

Blue Nile Prov.; Fung Prov. (Roseires, J. Moya and Jongol’s Post); Kassala Prov. (Gallabat, Matamma); Red Sea Prov. (Tokar); White Nile Prov. (J. Arashkol); Kordofan Prov.; Darfur Prov. (J. Marra 9,200 ft.); Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).

P. ovale Rupr. GASH EL NAL—Arab.

Perennial about 2 ft. high, erect from a stoutish rootstock, lower stem deeply channelled. Spike resembling a bottle brush, up to 4 in. long, bristles stout, rough, up to 1 in. long, several to a spikelet. Spikelets single on axis. Glume 5- or more nerved.

Red Sea Prov. (Suakin and Tokar); Kassala Prov. (Gallabat, Matamma); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); White Nile Prov. (Hillet Abbas); Upper White Nile Prov. (Kodok); Bahr el Jebel (Bari land).

P. purpureum Schum.

Tall perennial grass up to 20 ft. high, spreading by creeping underground stems; spikelets arranged round a densely hairy central axis forming a compact, erect, bristly cylindrical spike which becomes bent at maturity; spike up to 1 ft. long. Anther tips minutely hairy.

This grass is known as Elephant Grass or Napier’s Fodder. It is occasionally cultivated for fodder. It is also used for building and fencing.

Mongalla Prov. (near Yei River); Bahr el Jebel (Madi).

P. typhoideum Rich. DUKHN—Arab.

Annual up to 6 ft. high, stems erect, stout. Inflorescence a cylindrical dense spike up to 8 in. long, purplish. Grain when ripe, nearly round, yellow.

Cultivated as a food crop in most parts of the country. It is commonly known as Bulrush Millet.

P. mollissimum Hochst. GUNGARA (Fung), EL LUINDA (Kord)—Arab.

Annual grass up to 3 ft. high, often branched above. Leaf sheaths very hairy. Inflorescence cylindrical, up to 4 in. long, often purplish, very dense. Bristles silky, feathery, very numerous. Axis densely hairy.

Blue Nile Prov.; White Nile Prov. (El Dueim); Kordofan Prov. (Takari).

P. cenchroides Rich. HESKANIT, & DANAB EL KELB—Arab; WIGAR (?)—Nuer.

Perennial grass, stems often bending upwards from a prostrate base, up to 2 ft. long. Inflorescence dense, cylindrical, 1-4 in. long, often purplish. Bristles copious, stiffer than preceding with the bases thickened into a disc. Anther tip free from hairs.

Note.—Differs from true Heskanit (see 887) in that the spines are not rigid.

Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit and Tokar); Berber Prov. (Wadi el Arab & Kokreb); Khartoum Prov. (Jebel Royan); Blue Nile Prov. (Sheikh Talha); Fung Prov. (Bunzaga); White Nile Prov. (Jebel Arashkol); Kordofan Prov.; Darfur Prov.

887Cenchrus catharticus Del. HESKANIT & KOREIB—Arab.

Annual, variable in height (up to 2 ft.). Inflorescence cylindrical, up to 4 in. long. Spikelets surrounded by bristles which are hardened into rigid spines and united at the base to form a cup. Spines at the base widely spreading.

Widely distributed in Northern and Central Sudan.

C. biflorus Roxb. ARDIAKH—Rashida, KUREIT—Hadendowa.

Annual grass similar to above but smaller, basal spines not spreading.

Red Sea Prov. (Tokar); Between Suakin and Berber (Wadi el Omari, Jebel Okurr and Wadi Laemab); Blue Nile Prov. (Wadi el Haddad).

C. macrostachys Hochst.

Similar in habit to above but much larger. Spines long, fine, flexuous, sometimes dark purple, united into a hard cup at the base.

Red Sea Prov. (Tokar); Between Suakin and Berber (Wadi Eremit); Kordofan Prov. (Abu Gerad).

888Trichopteryx gigantea Stapf.

Tall perennial grass 5-12 ft. high, stems stout, rough to the touch; leaves long, narrow, ½-1 ft. long by ½-¾ in. broad, strongly ribbed. Inflorescence very narrow and loose, ½-1 ft. long. Spikelets brown, narrow, up to 1½ in. long; glumes hard and pointed, single on distinct stalks.

Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Bongo, Dukutu by the Roah River).

T. flammida Benth.

Tall perennial, strongly growing grass, up to over 8 ft. high. Inflorescence up to over 1 ft. long by 4 in. wide, brush-like, dense. Spikelets up to ⅓ in. long, narrow, yellow, with a fine awn up to 1 in. long, single on distinct stalks.

Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Jur, Jur Ghattas, Geneina and Kutshuk Ali); Mongalla Prov. (Kagulu swamp).

T. annua Stapf.

Annual grass up to 2 ft. high. Leaves narrow, 2½-4 in. long. Inflorescence a loose, erect, panicle. Spikelets nearly ¾ in. long occurring singly on long stalks, yellow. Glumes covered with black glands, from which spring fine, silky, white hairs, awns 1-1¾ in. long, fine.

Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).

889Tristachya barbata Nees. MASHAB—Hadendowa.

Perennial grass 6-18 in., woody and tufted at the root. Leaves greyish-green. Inflorescence somewhat resembling the oat. Spikelets in clusters of 3, up to ½ in. long; glumes narrow and pointed, sometimes purple at the base. Awn about 1 in., with a blackened swollen joint below the centre.

Red Sea Prov. (Jebel Soturba, Lat. 22° N.); Between Suakin and Berber (Wadi Laemab and Wadi Derumkad).

890Avena sp.

A species of oats.

Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit).

891Danthonia Forskalei Trin.

Woody, grey-green, desert grass up to 1 ft. high. Leaves up to 2 in. long. Inflorescence up to 6 in. long (generally less), moderately dense, narrow. Spikelets under ½ in. long, narrow, pointed, chaffy.

Kordofan Prov.

D. sp. nov.

Darfur Prov. (Jebel Marra; Abwo waterfall 8,200 ft.).

892Phragmites communis Trin. BUS, BUZZ’AM (N. Kordn)—Arab; RUR, ARUR (Bahr el Jebel)—Dinka; KURR and KWIR—Nuer; NGANZIDUPER and POPUKI—Zande.

Tall perennial grass, erect, 4-12 ft. high or taller, many jointed. Inflorescence large, tassel-like, brownish, branches of panicle very membranous, fine. Spikelets ½-¾ in. long, with fine white silky hairs, glumes narrow, pointed.

One of the commonest species of the “Sudd” region. The stems are used for building huts, and also for making arrow shafts and pipe stems by the Shilluks.

Fung Prov.; Kordofan Prov (North); White Nile Prov.; Bahr el Ghazal Prov.; Bahr el Jebel.

893Heleochloa schoenoides Host. GOGHEIB or GUGHEIB (Kordn)—Arab.

Small prostrate annual grass with wiry jointed stems. Leaves few, 1-2 in. long, narrow, pointed. Inflorescences small, compact, grouped at the end of the stems, surrounded by the cup-like leaf sheaths.

Nubia (Banks of the Nile); Berber Prov. (Kalli near Shendi); Blue Nile Prov. (Sennar); Kordofan Prov. (Debak and Sagia).

894Polypogon monspeliensis Desf.

Annual grass up to 2 ft. high, generally less. Leaves mostly from the base forming a dense tuft. Inflorescence a dense, cylindrical, spike-like panicle composed of short branches crowded on the main axis. Spikelets crowded on branches with a fine bristle-like awn.

Dongola Prov. (Banks of the Nile).

895Aristida Cummingiana Nees.

Small annual grass up to 1 ft. high, stems thin and wiry. Leaves scaly, almost thread-like. Panicle loose, spikelets single on long, very fine branches, yellow or purplish, about 1/12 in. long. Awns 3, divided from the foot, not jointed to glume, smooth, persistent.

Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).

A. Adscensionis Linn. HEMRA—Arab.

Annual (generally), stems thin, wiry, growing in tussocks, from a few inches to 2 ft. high. Leaves very narrow, rolled, thread-like. Panicle narrow, fairly dense, interrupted. Spikelets crowded on short branches. Awn divided into three from the foot, divisions long, column short, smooth, persistent, not jointed to glume.

One of the common grasses of the plains, largely collected for stock food.

Widely distributed over the whole of Northern and Central Sudan, including Darfur.

A. steudeliana Trin. and Rupr. DANABAYA, DEIL EL FAR—Arab; SIMILUL—Rashida; HUNSIG—Hadendowa.

Annual grass about 1 ft. high, fairly leafy. Leaves ⅛ in. broad, flat, greyish. Inflorescence up to 4 in. long, very dense like a fox tail. Awns not jointed to glume, long (2 in.) and fine. Widely distributed in Northern and Central regions, and also in Upper White Nile Prov. and Bahr el Jebel (Bari country).

A. mutabilis Trin and Rupr. GAU UMSHARA (N. Kordn.), DUNBALAB (S. Kordn)—Arab; TUMFAR—Hadendowa.

Annual grass like A. Adscensionis, but growing more thinly. Panicle very narrow, loose, branches long and fine. Spikelets shortly stalked, collected into bunches. Awn not jointed to glume, smooth, persistent, column long, branches comparatively short.

Nubian Desert; Berber Prov. (Wad Ben Naga); Kordofan Prov.

A. Sieberiana Trin. SUMEIMA (N. Kordn)—Arab.

Perennial, ½-3 ft. high, wiry. Leaves greyish rolled or twisted, narrow (1/12 in.). Panicle narrow, rarely open, spikelets comparatively few on slender short branches. Awns very long and fine, jointed at the junction with the glume from which they ultimately break off, smooth.

Kordofan Prov. Widely distributed.

A. stipoides Lam. AGEIG, EGEIG (N. Kordn), UM SUBEIBA (Fung) Arab.

Perennial, tufted grass, over 4 ft. high, stems stout. Leaf sheaths often with a flake of woolly hairs at the base. Leaves up to 2 ft. long. Panicle large (1 ft.), very open, nodding, with long fine branches bearing solitary spikelets. Awns similar to A. Sieberiana.

White Nile Prov. (Jebel Arashkol); Kordofan Prov. (Obeid, and between Um Ruaba and Eilafun).

A. funiculata Trin. and Rupr. GAU, HEMRA, UM ASLEILA, NUSSA and ABU HAREIB (Kordn)—Arab; EILAB—Rashida; WAEILA—Hadendowa.

Annual, growing in tussocks, stems slender, wiry, 10-18 in. high. Panicle very narrow, lax, branches short, spikelets few. Awns very long, jointed at the glume, ultimately breaking at the junction, smooth.

Red Sea Prov. (Port Sudan); Between Suakin and Berber (Wadi Eremit); Kassala Prov. (Um Adam, Gallabat, Gendua River); Atbara River; Khartoum Prov.; Kordofan Prov.

A. ciliata Desf.

Perennial grass growing in low compact tufts, from which wiry slender stems arise 1-2 ft. high. Leaves basal, wire-like, greyish, from 1-4 in. long. Inflorescence narrow, 4-6 in. long, rarely larger. Spikelets shortly stalked, up to ½ in. long, narrow, 3-nerved. Awns very long and slender, one branch conspicuously feathery, breaking from the glume.

Red Sea Prov. (Soturba Mts.: Wadi Hebera); between Suakin and Berber (Wadi Omari).

A. hirtigluma Steud. AGEIG EL BAGGAR—Arab.

Slender perennial arising from a basal tuft of wiry leaves, 1-2 ft. high. Inflorescence slender, up to 6 in. long. Spikelets ⅓ in. long on short fine stalks. Glumes hairy. Awns hairy, column as well as the long middle branch.

Red Sea Prov. (Sinkat and Khor Tamanib); Darfur Prov. (Kulme).

A. papposa Trin. and Rupr.

Annual, growing in small scanty tufts up to 2 ft. high. Leaves not all basal, wiry. Inflorescence narrow, lax; spikelets narrow, pointed, ⅓ in. long. Awn long, with a tuft of fine silky hairs at the junction of the column and the branches. One branch long and feathery at the tip.

Khartoum Prov.; Kordofan Prov.; Darfur Prov. (Prairies 20-80 miles N.E. of El Fasher).

A. plumosa Linn. SIMEIMA (or SUMEIMA), GABBAH (Kordn), BAYAD (N. Kordn), ANNAS (W. Dongola)—Arab.

Perennial, similar in habit to A. papposa, but generally denser in growth and shorter. Awn with middle branch 2-3 in. long, feathery above, smooth below.

Red Sea Prov. (Lat. 21° N.); Between Halfa and Dongola Prov.; Berber Prov. (Abu Hamed).

A. acutiflora Trin.

Perennial grass up to 2 ft. high with thin, wiry, hairy stems. Leaves also wiry, drying light brown, often in tufts on the stem. Inflorescence up to 4 in. long, very narrow, lax, with very narrow, acute pointed spikelets. Awn feathery.

Between Suakin and Berber; Kordofan Prov. (Hassania).

896Tragus racemosus All.

Annual grass growing in tufts, from a few inches to 1 ft. high. Stems many-jointed and bent, leafy. Panicle 1-4 in. long, slender, moderately dense. Spikelets about ⅛-⅙ in. long, narrow, and pointed, with rows of strong hooked spines along the five prominent ribs.

Red Sea Prov. (Lat. 21° N.); Blue Nile Prov. (general); Kordofan Prov. (Um Marba and Abu Garad).

T. paucispina Hack. MASABIGH (Khartoum Prov.)—Arab.

Small tufted desert grass up to 8 in. high (generally much less). Stems leafy. Leaf blades short (about 1 in.). Inflorescence generally not so dense as T. racemosus and the spines finer and straighter.

Between Suakim and Berber (Wadi Sarrawib and Khor Kokreb); Khartoum Prov. (Soba).

897Latipes senegalensis Kunth.

A perennial grass, growing in tufts with thin wiry leafy stems up to 10 in. high. Leaves very narrow, inrolled. Inflorescence 2-6 in. long, very loose, narrow, with a conspicuously wavy axis. Spikelets dark coloured on wide spaced, wavy, flattened stalks, two to a stalk. The lowest partly enclosed in a long leaf sheath. Glumes covered below with thick fleshy spines drawn to a fine point in upper half with the edges thickly fringed with fine spines.

Red Sea Prov. (Sinkat and Lat. 21° N.). Kordofan Prov. (Bareis and Shitangul).

898Perotis latifolia Ait.

Annual or subperennial grass, tufted and leafy at the base, stems bent, from a few inches to 1½ ft. long. Leaves lance-shaped, up to 3 in. by ⅓ in. wavy, with rigid hairs along the edge. Spike slender, 3-8 in. long, often purplish, rather dense. Spikelets about 1/12 in. long with a long soft awn which gives the resemblance of a dog’s tail to the inflorescence.

Bahr el Ghazal (Mittu land); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).

899Sporobolus near S. minutiflorus Link. TENTIT (Meshra el Zeraf)—Arab.

Annual grass 1½-3 ft. high, with tufted slender stems. Leaves 6-9 in. long, narrow and fine pointed. Panicle large (12-18 in.), open, branches very fine and numerous. Spikelets on the end of very fine branchlets, dark, about 1/30 in. long.

White Nile Prov.; Upper Nile Prov. (Meshra el Zeraf); Mongalla Prov. (Bor.).

S. festivus Hochst. DEFERA-MELAIHA—Arab.

Perennial, compactly tufted grass ½-1 ft. long; leaves mostly basal, thin and wiry, the sheaths persisting and forming dense tufts at the base. Panicles 2-6 in. broad, oval in outline, very loose and spreading, erect. Spikelets small, 1/25 in. long, solitary on very slender pedicels.

Northern Sudan; Kassala Prov. (Gallabat, Matamma); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Kordofan (Khor Abu Habl); Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam land).

var. fibrosus Stapf.

Similar in habit to above but with fibrous tufts of leaf sheaths at the base. The stems are somewhat longer, also the panicle larger but the spikelets are smaller.

Darfur Prov. (Kulme).

var. stuppeus Stapf.

Resembling type, but with the basal inner fibrous leaf sheaths covered with pallid, tow-like hairs. The panicle is less spreading, and the spikelets larger (1/16 in.) than S. festivus.

Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas, Jur: Kutshuk Ali).

S. spicatus Kunth.

Perennial grass with rigid, jointed stems, ½-1½ ft. high, growing in small tufts on long runners. Leaves mostly basal, rigid, wiry, awl-like. Panicle very narrow, cylindric, 2-3 in. long. Spikelets not stalked, glossy.

Red Sea Prov. (Tokar, Dongonab, Soturba at Merza Gubetur. Lat. 21° N.); Bahr el Jebel (Hillet el Nuer).

S. pyramidalis P. Beauv.

Large grass, often robust, 3-6 ft. high. Leaves long, narrow, strongly ribbed. Panicle ½-1¼ ft. long by 1-2 in. wide, branches fine, ⅓ in. long, not spreading much. Spikelets small (about 1/20 in), very short stalked, crowded on the branches.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat, Matamma); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Banks of the Nile; Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas, Bongo, Gurfala; Niamniam land); Bahr el Jebel (Hillet el Nuer and Bari).

S. scabriflorus Stapf.

Annual, 6-18 in. high, frequently having flowering branches springing from a leaf sheath about the middle of the stem. Leaves 1-2 in. long by ⅓ in. broad, lance-shaped, with short coarse bristles along the edges. Panicle up to 4 in. long by 1½ in. wide, lax, open, branches in whorls. Spikelets 1/20-1/9 in. long, slightly hairy, stamens 2, seeds black.

Bahr el Ghazal (Jur Ghattas).

S. humifusus Kunth. var. cordofanus Stapf.

Annual, tufted, grass up to 1 ft. high, with many fine, jointed, bent stems rising from a common base. Leaves lance-shaped, about 1 in. long, bordered with fine white bristles. Panicle 1½ in. by 1 in., fairly compact. Branches fine, about 1 in. long, spreading. Spikelets up to 1/12 in. long, stamens 3.

Khartoum Prov.; White Nile Prov. (Geteina); Kordofan Prov. (Abu Garad).

S. Schweinfurthii Stapf.

Tall perennial grass. Stems erect, stout. Leaves long, narrow, with fine white hairs. Panicle 1 ft. by 1½-2½ in., branches fine, up to 2 in. long, not spreading much. Spikelets on short stalks, grain blackish.

Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam land, Ibba River near Nganye).

S. robustus Kunth.

Tall, perennial, strong growing grass, stems 3-8 ft. long, from an often prostrate and rooting base. Leaves long and narrow, ½-1 ft. by ⅛-¼ in., with weak white hairs. Panicle long and narrow with branches interrupted from the base. Spikelets up to 1/10 in. long.

Red Sea Prov. (Lat. 21° N., Khor Tamaneb, Tokar); Between Suakin and Berber (Khor Haraza); Darfur Prov.

S. glaucifolius Hochst. AKRASH (Meshra el Zeraf) & LUH or LUKH (Kordn)—Arab; ERKA—Rashida; EINWI—Hadendowa.

Perennial, densely tufted grass, grey green in colour and covered with a waxy bloom. Stems 12-18 in. long, many jointed, woody and bent below. Leaves mostly short and narrow. Panicle narrow, interrupted, 3-5 in. long, very pale. Spikelets very shortly stalked, up to 1/14 in. long.

A good fodder grass.

Northern Sudan and Red Sea District; Blue Nile Prov.; Kordofan Prov. (Katul Gombara, Safra, Khor Abu Habl); Upper White Nile Prov. (Meshra el Zeraf).

900Desmostachya cynosuroides Stapf. HALFA—Arab.

Tall, coarse, perennial grass growing in clumps up to 3½ ft. high, branched from the base, branches covered with leathery sheaths. Leaves very long, rigid, tips fine pointed. Panicle 6-18 in. by about 1 in. erect, spikelets crowded on short branches.

The leaves are used for making coarse ropes.

Widely distributed in Northern Sudan along river banks and in Khors; Kassala Prov.

901Eragrostis pilosa P. Beauv. NUA—Dinka; AROA—Shilluk.

Annual grass growing in tufts, very variable in height (3 in. to 3 ft.), stems slender, shiny. Leaves few, short and narrow. Panicle very variable in size, very delicate, flexuous, loose. Branches long and fine, spikelets on fine branchlets, 5-11 flowered, up to 1/5 in. long, very narrow.

Widely distributed throughout the Sudan.

E. cf. E. pilosa Beauv.

Similar to E. pilosa, but larger generally and more leafy. (Panicle up to 1 ft.).

Red Sea Prov. (Tokar, south of delta).

E. cf. E. ægyptiaca Del.

Annual growing in low tufts. Sudan specimen much reduced; structurally similar to E. pilosa but spikelets not stalked. 15-20 flowered.

White Nile Prov. (Geteina).

E. tenuifolia Hochst.

Perennial grass with slender stems 1½-3 ft. high, leaves very narrow, needle-like, often long. Panicle 3-6 in., very open. Spikelets on long, fine stalks, ⅓ in. by ⅙ in., glumes long pointed, giving a saw-edge effect.

Mongalla Prov. (Yei River, in cultivation).

E. chalcantha Trin.

Perennial, densely tufted grass, stems slender, ½-1 ft. long, 1-jointed, upper joint ¾ length of stem. Leaves mostly basal, narrow, fine tapering, 1-4 in. long by 1/12-⅛ in., crowned with soft white glandular hairs. Panicle narrow, branches short, spikelets olive grey, up to ⅓ in. long, narrowly oval.

Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).

E. major Host. BANU (Khartoum)—Arab.

Annual grass, growing in small tufts, stems slender, but strong, ½-2 ft. high. Leaves few, 2-6 in. long, tapering to fine point, glandular along the edges. Panicle 2-6 in. long, moderately dense, erect. Branches spreading, stiff, longer at base. Spikelets large, up to ⅓ in. by ⅛ in., many flowered. Grain round.

Northern and Central Sudan; Kordofan and Bahr el Ghazal (Jur Ghattas and Niamniam land).

E. Barrelierii Desv.

Annual grass growing in tufts up to about 1 ft. high. Stems slender, many jointed. Leaves not glandular. Inflorescence rigid, 1½-3 in. long, 1-1½ in. broad. Branches many, subopposite. Spikelets short stalked, many flowered, up to ½ in. long by 1/16 in. broad.

Halfa Prov. (Halfa).

E. tremula Hochst. BINNU or BANU (Kordn)—Arab.

Tufted annual, 6 in. to 2½ ft., stems 3-4-jointed. Leaves narrow, mostly basal, sometimes glandular. Panicle very large, broad, very loose, branches solitary. Spikelets nodding, on long, very fine stalks, many-flowered, up to 1 in. long by 1/12 in. broad.

Blue Nile Prov. (Rufaa); Fung Prov. (Fazoghli); Kordofan Prov. (Abu Garad, Hilla el Jebel, El Obeid, Khor Abu Habl); Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam land).

E. superba Peyr.

Perennial, densely tufted grass with offshoots along the stems, 2-3 ft. high. Panicle erect, 4-10 in. long, often interrupted below. Spikelets almost round or oval, large, ¼-¾ in. by 1/5-1/3 in., straw coloured or purplish, irregularly placed on very unequal stalks.

Mongalla Prov. (Rejaf, near mountain).

E. obtusa Munro.

Densely tufted perennial with numerous leafy shoots along stem, stems wiry, ½-1½ ft. long. Leaves very narrow, tapering to a very fine point. Panicle 2-4 in. long, rather lax. Spikelets large, 1/8-1/5 in., roundish or oval on very fine stalks, nodding in wind.

Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).

E. rubiginosa Trin.

Tufted annual, with solitary stems arising from a basal tuft of leaves, up to about 1 ft. high. Leaves about 3 in. long by ¼ in., lance-shaped, tinged with red. Inflorescence small, consisting of 5 or 6 short branches, bearing broad heart-shaped spikelets, which are tinged with red.

Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).

E. near E. Tholloni Franch.

Grass with dense basal tuft of leaves and fibrous sheaths. Leaves long, narrow, tapering. Flowering stem solitary, up to 2 ft. high. Inflorescence fairly loose, oval, with fine wavy branches about 1 in. long, bearing large, broad, heart-shaped spikelets of yellow colour.

Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).

E. ciliaris Link.

Tufted annual 2 in.-1 ft. high, or more; stems slender, hairless or nearly so, bent at the base, 3-4-jointed, leaves narrow, finely pointed, short. Spikes dense, 2-6 in. long, narrow, cylindrical. Spikelets densely crowded, pale, sometimes purplish, 1/10 in. long, 6-12 flowered, glumes hairy.

Red Sea Prov. (Soturba, at Mersa Elei, and Lat. 21° N., Khor Tamanib, Tokar); Khartoum Prov.; Kordofan Prov. (El Obeid); Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas, and Niamniam land); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).

E. interrupta P. Beauv. HOLAGOYA & HEILAGŪT (N. Kordn)—Arab.

Annual, very variable in size, 2 in.-3 ft. high, stem bent at base. Panicle with erect stiff branches, more or less contracted or slightly spreading. Spikelets very small, green or pale brown, 1/12-¼ in. long, glumes not hairy.

Atbara River; Berber Prov. (El Mesherif and Gubba); Khartoum Prov.; Blue Nile Prov.; Fung Prov.; Kordofan Prov.

E. namaquensis Nees.

Tufted annual, 6 in.-2 ft. high, stem erect, slender. Leaves narrow. Panicle long and narrow, contracted or loose; spikelets usually crowded, 1/12 in. long, 5-6 flowered, light purplish or brownish.

White Nile Prov. (Jebel Arashkol); Kordofan Prov.; Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).

E. aspera Nees. HEMEIRA (Khartoum)—Arab.

Tufted annual 2-4 in. high. Panicle large, open, 10-20 in. long by 4-6 in. broad. Spikelets narrow, blunt, 1/5 in. long, 4-16 flowered, pale or tinged with purple, glumes rough.

Red Sea Prov. (Tokar and Lat. 21° N.); Blue Nile Prov. (Kamlin); Khartoum Prov.; Fung Prov. (Roseires); Darfur Prov. (Kulme); Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam land).

902Diplachne fusca Beauv.

Coarse perennial growing in compact tufts, stems stout, 3-5 ft. long, 3-jointed, branched, with leafy shoots springing from the lower. Leaf blades more or less rigid, 3-6 in. by 1/12-⅛ in. Panicle 9-18 in. long, narrow, slightly nodding, consisting of numerous slender branches up to 5 in. long, not spreading. Spikelets ¼-½ in. long, 5-10 flowered, very shortly stalked, olive grey in colour.

White Nile Prov. (Jebel Arashkol).

903Leptochloa chinensis Nees.

A rather coarse annual, stems stout, erect, 2-4 ft. high, many jointed. Leaves long, 6-18 in., narrow, grey-green. Panicle 6-18 in., consisting of numerous slender, flexuous branches, often spreading. Spikelets crowded on the branches, not stalked, dark colour, about 1/10 in. long.

Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Wau).

L. sp.

Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).

904Schoenefeldia gracilis Kunth. DANAB EL NAGA, EMFERID (Blue Nile), GAU DUMBELAD (N. Kordn)—Arab.

Annual with slender wiry stems growing in tufts, up to 18 in. high. Leaves very narrow, inrolled at the edges. Spikes 2 or 3, digitate, each 2-4 in. long, axis densely covered with 2 ranks of small spikelets (1/12 in. long), bearing long, flexuous awns up to 1½ in. long.

Northern and Central Sudan; Kordofan Prov.; Darfur Prov. (Jebel Barkin, Suruj district).

905Microchloa setacea R. Br.

Perennial, growing in compact tufts, stems very slender, from 2 in. to more than 1 ft. long. Leaves crowded at the base, short, rigid and wiry, the basal sheaths breaking into fibres. Spikes solitary, 1-6 in. long, very slender, little thicker than the stems, usually curved, often purplish. Spikelets 1-flowered in a single row, up to ⅛ in. long, widely spaced on the axis of the spike.

Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).

906Cynodon Dactylon Pers. NAGIL, DIFRAT EL KHAIL (N. Kordn)—Arab; BURTIT (Dilling)—Nuba.

Perennial, creeping grass, forming matted tufts, with short, ascending, slender, many jointed branches from a few inches to 1 ft. long. Spikelets minute, 1-2-ranked on 3-6 digitate spikes. A common grass, an excellent fodder, very suited to the making of lawns.

Throughout the Sudan.

907Enteropogon macrostachya Munro.

Rather coarse perennial grass up to 2½ ft. high, stems slender and wiry, branched at the base. Leaves long, up to 1/5 in. broad, grey-green. Spikes up to 6 in. long, solitary, pallid. Spikelets densely packed on one side of the axis, narrow, and with a short awn.

Darfur Prov. (Jebel Barkin).

908Chloris pycnothrix Trin.

Slender perennial or annual grass, ½-1 ft. high, stems at the base prostrate, with tufts of barren shoots and stems springing from the rooting joints. Leaves 1½-2 in., very narrow. Spikes 3 to 9, sessile, or some shortly stalked, 1½-3 in. long, digitate. Spikelets minute, awn of lower valve very fine, ½-¾ in. long, upper valve also curved, with fine bristle ⅙-¼ in. long.

Mongalla Prov. (Yei district).

C. punctulata Hochst.

Perennial, ½-1 ft. high, stems with stout, wiry, creeping stems rooting at the joints and sending up fresh tufts therefrom. Stems slender, enclosed in the sheathing bases of the leaves up to the base of the inflorescence. Spikes 1-2½ in. long, 3-6, digitate. Spikelets minute, rigid, and bristle-like, about ½ in. long, yellow.

Red Sea Prov. (Lat. 21-22° N.); Khartoum Prov.; Kordofan Prov. (Joka).

C. virgata Swartz. TIMALA—Hadendowa.

Perennial or annual, 1-3 ft. high. Stems often prostrate below, and giving off barren shoots from the rooting joints. Spikes 6-15 or more, digitate, whitish green or purplish, 1-2½ in. long. Spikelets about ⅙ in. long, 2-awned, on upper valve ¼-½ in. long, on lower ½-¾ in. long, lower valve also hairy and bearded below the tip.

A fodder grass.

Widely distributed in Northern and Central Sudan (Fung Prov. (Shellal).

var. elegans Stapf.

Similar to type, but spikes up to 3 in. long, lower valve of spikelets conspicuously swollen.

Red Sea Prov. (Erkowit & Tokar).

C. gayana Kunth.

Perennial or annual, 2-4 ft. high. Stems often stout with runners at the base from which spring barren shoots. Leaves narrow, long tapering, ½ to more than 1 ft. long. Spikes 6-15, digitate, not stalked, rarely spreading, 2½-4 in. long. Spikelets ⅛ in. long, shortly 2-awned, dense on the spikes.

Mongalla Prov. (Yei Valley District).

C. barbata Sw.

Perennial very variable in size and habit. Stems stout, 1-3 ft. high, with long creeping runners at the base. Spikes 4-20, ½-4 in. long, digitate. Spikelets 1/10-⅙ in., green or red-purple, 3-awned, awn ¼-⅓ in. long; glumes very hairy, and pointed at the tip.

Darfur Prov.

C. breviseta Benth. DAZ (Meshra el Zeraf) UM ASABA—Arab; YOLOVAN (Meshra el Zeraf)—Dinka.

Perennial up to 2 ft. high, with stout stems and creeping basal runners. Leaves long and narrow. Spikes up to 12, about 3 in. long. Spikelets about ⅙ in. long, 3-awned, but awns only short bristles, glumes slightly hairy, often fringed with purple.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat, Matamma); Kordofan Prov. (Abu Haraz); Darfur Prov. (Kulme, 3,600 ft.); Upper White Nile Prov. (Meshra el Zeraf); Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River, Gondokoro).

C. villosa Pers.

Perennial from a densely tufted stout woody base which is clothed with broad overlapping leaf-sheaths. Stems slender, up to 3 ft. high, but generally smaller. Leaves very narrow 1-3 in. Spikes solitary up to 3 in. long. Spikelets 4-awned, awns up to ⅓ in. long, very dense on the axis, triangular, with the base upwards, glumes very hairy.

A good fodder grass in desert regions.

Red Sea Prov. (Khor Tamanib); Between Suakin and Berber (Wadi Omari).

C. spathacea Hochst.

Tufted perennial up to 1 ft. high, similar in habit to C. villosa, but generally smaller, and the solitary spike wholly or partly enclosed in spathe-like leaf-sheaths. The awns also are rather more rigid.

Between Suakin and Berber (Wadi Laemab); Atbara River (Jebel Erimbat, Goz Regeb); Blue Nile Prov. (Wad el Haddad, Wad el Gamali); White Nile Prov. (Jebel Arashkol); Kordofan Prov. (Bir Sodari and Abu Haraz).

909Ctenium elegans Kunth. DANAB EL NAGA, ABU-DHANABI—Arab.

Perennial densely tufted grass, stems thin, wiry, 1½-2½ ft. high. Leaves scanty, narrow. Spikes solitary up to 1 ft. long. Spikelets very narrow, densely packed on one side of the axis like the teeth of a comb, shortly awned with a fine bristle. Glumes and axis finely hairy.

Blue Nile Prov. (Sennar); Kordofan Prov. (Jebel Kon, Khor Abu Habl); Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Bongo: Gir).

C. Schweinfurthii Gilg.

Similar in general habit to C. elegans, but differs in that two of the glumes are strongly hairy, the inner glume is not glandular and the awn from the side nerve is conspicuous.

Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Bongo land).

910Coelachyrum brevifolium Nees.

Small annual tufted grass 3-6 in. high, frequently bearing long trailing stems with leafy branches at the joints. Leaves 1-2 in. long, lance-shaped. Panicle loose, branches up to six in number, about 1 in. long, irregularly arranged. Spikelets crowded on the branches, about ⅛ in. long, 3-4-flowered, glumes ovate.

Red Sea Prov. (Tokar and Lat. 21° N.).

911Eleusine indica Gaertn.

Annual, often strong growing, but variable according to locality, from a few inches to 2 ft. in height. Stems flattened, 2-3-jointed. Leaves often numerous, crowded near the base, long, narrow, midrib conspicuous. Spikes 2-14, 1-7 in. long, digitate, with usually 1 or 2 extra below. Spikes slender, straight, axis breaking above the glumes. Spikelets 1/8-1/6 in. long, in two rows all crowded on one side of the axis. Seed heart-shaped in cross section.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat, Matamma); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Nubia Mts. Prov. (Talodi); Mongalla Prov. (Gondokoro, Mongalla and Yei River); Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas and Niamniam land).

E. coracana Gaertn. TELABUN—Arab; KOELL—Bongo; MONU or MARO—Zande.

Very like E. indica, but more robust, up to 5 ft. high. Spikes thick, often curved, axis tough, grain roundish.

Cultivated for the grain in the Southern Sudan, where it is used both for food and in the preparation of native beer.

Fung Prov. (Fazoghli); Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas and Niamniam land); Bahr el Jebel (Bari country).

E. flagellifera Nees. HOMRA (Red Sea Prov.)—Arab; IGLA—Rashida; TOKSHIN—Hadendowa.

Perennial with long, stiff, wiry, creeping stems, much branched and rooting at the joints, which are often leafy and thickened. Erect flowering stems about 10 in. long. Spikes 3-6, 1-1½ in. long. Spikelets crowded, overlapping, ⅛-⅓ in. long, often purplish.

Desert grass.

Red Sea Prov. (littoral, Lat. 22° N., Wadi el Arab and Tokar); Between Suakin and Berber (Wadi Laemab); Berber Prov. (Atbara river); Kassala Prov. (Um Adam).

E. verticillata Roxb.

Tufted annual 1-3 ft. high, with many strong leafy stems. Leaves rather broad. Spikes numerous, rather scattered on the axis or arranged in whorls, up to 3 in. long. Spikelets large, up to ¼ in., densely crowded, glumes very pointed, overlapping.

Between Suakin and Berber (Jebel Okurr).

912Dactyloctenium ægypticum Willd. KOREIB (Khartoum), UM ASABA (Kordn)—Arab.

Annual, 1-1½ ft. high, stems stoutish, sometimes prostrate and rooting from the joints at the base. Leaves long, tapering to a fine point, 1-5 in. long by 1½-⅙ in. wide. Often hairy with white hairs bearing a small tubercle at the base. Spikes 2-6, digitate, ½-2 in. long, axis stout with spikelets densely packed in 2 rows facing in one direction and spreading at right angles. Spikelets up to ⅛ in. long, stiff, armed with a short curved rigid awn.

A good fodder plant; the seed is eaten at times.

Widely distributed in the Sudan.

D. glauciphyllum Courb.

Perennial with long creeping stems bearing leafy flowering tufts at the thickened joints, 8 in.-1 ft. high. Leaves mainly basal, 1-5 in. long, very narrow, thinly covered with long soft white hairs. Spikes about 4 in number, digitate, up to 1 in. long, branches densely packed with spikelets about 1/5 in. long, glumes prolonged into a sharp hard point.

A desert grass, eaten readily by cattle, sheep, and goats, but dangerous to horses causing irritation to the bladder and kidneys if eaten in large quantities.

Red Sea Prov. (Lat. 21° N., Tokar, Khor Tamanib); Between Suakin and Berber (Wadi Sarrawib and Wadi el Omari).

913Dinebra arabica Stapf. EL MILEIHA (Khartoum) and MAMLEIHA (Fung)—Arab.

Annual leafy grass 1-3 ft. high, growing in dense tufts, stems stout, branching from the base. Leaves flat, 3-8 in. long. Inflorescence up to 1 ft. long, axis stout, rigid, erect. Branches rather irregularly and widely spaced, becoming closer towards the apex, ½-2½ in. long. Spikelets overlapping, ⅙ in. long, outer glumes drawn out into a long, fine, rigid point.

Widely distributed in the Sudan.

914Trichoneura arenaria Ekman.

Small tufted annual grass, woody at the base up to 4 in. long, finely dense. Spikelets flattened, shortly awned.

Red Sea Prov. (Soturba, Mersa Elei).

915Triraphis nana Boiss.

Dwarf desert grass, annual, about 4 in. high. Leaves very narrow and fine pointed. Panicle brush-like, oval, about 1 in. long. Spikelets dense, very hairy, with a fine bristle-like awn.

Red Sea Prov. (Lat. 21° N.).

916Tripogon sp. (See Key).

Darfur Prov. (Jebel Marra, high zone).

917Enneapogon elegans Stapf. MASABIGH—Arab.

Perennial grass about 15 in. high, with tufted woody base. Leaves mostly basal, with tight woody sheaths, blades very narrow, finely hairy. Inflorescence spike-like, whitish or purplish, up to 4 in. long. Spikelets in clusters, fairly dense on the axis. Glumes narrow, divided apically into 9 feathery awns. Grain oval, with long silky white hairs springing from the upper half.

A good fodder grass.

Between Suakin and Berber (Wadi Eremit); Khartoum Prov. (Jebel Malakhit).

E. mollis Lehm.

Perennial, more or less finely hairy all over. Stems 1-3 ft. long. Leaves long, up to ⅜ in. broad, mostly narrower. Inflorescence spike-like, often interrupted and lobed below, ⅙ in. long. Spikelets crowded, up to 1/5 in. long, awns 9, feathery, up to ¼ in. long, glumes often tinged with black, the whole rather like a fox tail.

Blue Nile Prov. (Near mouth of Dinder River). Kordofan Prov.; Darfur Prov.

918Schmidtia pappophoroides Steud. EL MILEIHA (N. Kordn)—Arab.

Coarse tufted perennial grass up to 1½ ft. high, covered with fine short hairs. Stems bent and woody below. Panicle up to 4 in. long, spike-like, narrow, fairly dense. Spikelets in clusters of 4-6, hairy. Glumes 9-nerved, five being prolonged into straight fine bristle-like awns, of a brownish yellow colour.

A good fodder grass.

Kordofan Prov. (Wadi Gotta and Kheiran); Darfur Prov. (Jebel Sungur, Suruj district).

919Oryza brachyantha Stapf. RUZ EL WADI—Arab.

Tall leafy grass with stout stems growing in inundated or swampy soil, about 2 ft. high or more. Leaves long, tapering to a fine point. Spikelets large, flat, oblong, about ⅜ in. long, shortly stalked on the wavy branches of an elongated narrow panicle, including the awn over 1 ft. long. Awns slender, rigid, rough, 6 in. or more long.

Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).

O. Barthii Chev. RUZ—Arab, ALABU—Dinka and Shilluk.

Coarse leafy grass with stout ribbed stems growing in inundated khors near river; about 2 ft. high. Leaves up to ½ in. wide. Panicle rather lax, up to 1 ft. long. Spikelets reddish-yellow, with short stiff white hairs, ⅓ in. long, narrow, and tapering to a fine tip. Awns wavy, less than 3 in. long.

Upper White Nile Prov. (Kio plantation).

O. punctata Kotschy. RUZ EL WADI, UM SHEBITI or TIBN—Arab.

Aquatic grass growing in flooded khors, 2-3 ft. high, stems moderately stout. Leaves under ½ in. wide, finely ribbed. Panicle very lax, up to 10 in. long, branches few. Spikelets oblong, ¼ in. long, hairy on the ribs. Awn slightly curved, about 1½ in. long.

White Nile Prov. (Jebel Arashkol); Kordofan (Khor Abu Habl.); Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).

O. officinalis Wall.

Tall leafy grass up to 6 ft. high, stems slender. Leaves 1-2 ft. by ½-1½ in., pale grey green. Panicle up to 8 in. long, very lax, branches spreading. Spikelets ⅙ in., white. Awn up to ½ in. long.

Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post); Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam land, Nabambisso River).

920Leersia hexandra Sw.

Rice-like grass growing in swampy soil, smaller and more slender than true Rice, 2-4 ft. high. Inflorescence a loose panicle 2-4 in. long. Spikelets ⅙ in. long, lower florets absent, glumes not awned. Leaves 8-12 in. long by ⅓-½ in. broad, flat, sharp edged.

Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam land, Nabambisso River); Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).

L. angustifolia Munro.

Tufted grass up to 2 ft. high, growing in swamps. Inflorescence loose, purplish, bristles on edges of glumes nearly straight and set at an acute angle. Leaves very narrow, awl-like, folded.

Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).

L. drepanothria Stapf.

Similar to above in habit. Bristles on glumes curled.

Fung Prov. (Jongol’s Post).

921Elytrophorus articulatus P. Beauv.

An erect annual grass 6-18 in. high. Leaves as long as the stem and spikes very narrow. Inflorescence often larger than the stem, reddish yellow in colour. Spikelets in globose clusters that are densely packed along a central axis, forming a long cylindric or interrupted spike. Spikelets ⅙ in. long, with awned glumes surrounded by many empty glumes. Awns about ¼ in. long.

Kordofan Prov. (Abu Garad, El Mareikib); Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Jur Ghattas).

922Aeluropus repens Parl.

A rigid grass with long wiry roots. Stems 6-12 in. long, densely tufted, branched, hard, erect or prostrate, with long, often creeping runners. Leaves ⅙-1 in., mostly spreading at right angles to the stem, inrolled and sharp pointed resembling thorns in appearance. Inflorescence ¼-⅔ in. in diameter, globose or ovoid. Spikelets densely compacted.

Red Sea (Coastal region).

923Bromus adoensis Hochst.

Annual about 1 ft. high, stems slender, leaves long, narrow. Panicle lax, spikelets 6-9 flowered on slender flexuous stalks, tassel-like, purplish. Awns up to ¾ in. long.

Darfur Prov. (Jebel Marra, Niurnya 6,500 ft.). Red Sea Prov. (between 3-4,000 ft.).

924Olyra latifolia Linn.

Tall branched perennial 10-15 ft. high, growing in shady moist khors. Leaves large, 4-7 in. long, by 1-2¾ in. broad, flat, narrowed to a fine tip. Inflorescence 3-6 in. long, somewhat loose. Spikelets oval, about ¼ in. long, awn up to nearly an inch, flexuous. Glumes papery.

Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Niamniam land, Boddo River). Mongalla Prov. (Yei River).

925Oxytenanthera abyssinica Munro. GANNA—Arab; MEDERA—Hameg; TAL (J. Daier), LUI (J. Eliri)—Nuba; LAU—Nuer; NGANZI—Zande.

Tall leafy shrub with woody stems (canes) rising from a thick rhizome. Leaves lance-head shaped, up to 6 in. by 1 in. wide. Spikelets in dense terminal heads in more or less globose whorls.

The Bamboo; the stems are used for building and many other purposes.

Kassala Prov. (Gallabat, Matamma); Fung Prov. (J. Fazoghli); Nuba Mts. Prov. (Khors); Atbara River; Bahr el Ghazal Prov. (Khors).