The _leaf-sheath_ is somewhat compressed and loose, covered with scattered long hairs, some of them being tubercle-based; the margin is ciliate on one side only. The _nodes_ are pubescent with long hairs. The _ligule_ is a distinct fringe of hairs. The _leaf-blade_ is broadly lanceolate, cordate at base, amplexicaul, acuminate or acute, with scattered long hairs both above and below, and some of the hairs of the under surface are tubercle-based, convolute when young; margin of the leaf is wavy, minutely serrate, and ciliated with distant hairs towards the lower half of the leaf when young; the midrib is prominent below. [Illustration: Fig. 94.--Panicum javanicum. 1 and 2. Front and back view of a spike; 3, 4, 5 and 6. the first, second, third and the fourth glume, respectively; 5a and 6a. the palea of third and fourth glumes; 7. the ovary and the stamens.] The _inflorescence_ is a panicle of spikes on a short or long erect slender peduncle. _Spikes_ vary from two to ten in number and in length from 1/2 to 2 inches, distant and spreading; the rachis of the spike is zigzag, somewhat flattened with a wavy ridge, scaberulous or glabrous, swollen towards the base and the swollen part is pubescent. The _spikelets_ are biseriate, loosely imbricate, ovate, acute, pubescent or villous (sometimes quite glabrous), sessile or shortly pedicelled; the pedicels have one or two (rarely more) long hairs. There are four _glumes_. The _first glume_ is small, membranous, less than 1/2 of the third glume, ovate, acute or obtuse, 3- to 5-nerved. The _second glume_ is nearly equal to the third, ovate acute, generally 7-nerved and sometimes 7- to 13-nerved. The _third glume_ is similar to the second in shape, generally 5-nerved and occasionally 7-nerved, paleate with three stamens or empty; _palea_ 2-nerved, ovate or oblong, margins infolded. The _fourth glume_ is ovate or oblong, rugulose, chartaceous, apex with a distinct mucro concealed in the second and third glumes; _palea_ same as the glume in texture, etc. _Anthers_ are yellowish; _stigmas_ are feathery and purple in colour; _lodicules_ are small and fleshy. This is an excellent fodder grass. Though it is an annual it grows rapidly under favourable conditions. A single plant found growing in the compound of the Agricultural College, Coimbatore, weighed 15 lb. and occupied 15 square feet of the ground. It flourishes in cultivated dry fields and in rich loamy soils. (See fig. 7.) _Distribution._--Plains of India and Ceylon and in Tropical countries generally. [Illustration: Fig. 95.--Panicum ramosum.] =Panicum ramosum, _L._= This is an annual with stems erect or ascending from a creeping base, rooting at the lower nodes, 1 to 2 feet long. The stem is slender or stout, usually glabrous though occasionally glabrescent or pubescent, channelled on one side, branched from base upwards, and leafy.