A flora of Manila - Rainforestation

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A FLORA OF MANILA
lanceolate, acuminate, 6 to 14 cm long, 3 to 5 mm wide, the sheaths loose,
sparingly hirsute. Inflorescence exserted, of from 3 to 6 ascending or
spreading spikes about 10 cm long, whorled at the apex of the stem. Spikelets
3 mm long, oblong-lanceolate, in pairs, one sessile, one pedicelled, on
the lower surface of the flattened rachis, the empty glumes of the pedicelled
spikelets densely ciliate on the marginal nerves with numerous, long, soft,
spreading, often hooked hairs.
Roadsides and waste places, fl. more or less all the year and rather common
about Manila, certainly introduced. India to Polynesia,
2. D. sanguinalis (L.) Scop., var. australis Thwaites.
A weak, slender, ascending, nearly glabrous grass usually less than
0.5 m high, the basal parts of the stems more or less decumbent. Leaves
thin, acuminate, 5 to 10 cm long, 3 to 5 mm wide. Spikes slender, 2 to
4, ascending or spreading, 4 to 7 cm long, whorled at the apex of the
stem. Spikelets oblong-lanceolate, 3 mm long, in pairs, one sessile and
one pedicellate on the under surface of the flattened rachis, glabrous or
nearly so.
In thickets etc., fl. all the year, widely distributed in the Philippines,
variable. Tropical and temperate regions of the world (species), the
variety India to Malaya.
3. D. consanguinea Gaudich.
Stems up to 1 m in length, the lower parts usually geniculate and
somewhat pi'ostrate. Leaves up to 20 cm in length, 6 to 12 mm wide,
the sheaths usuallj' lax, with scattered, long, stiff, white hairs arising
from small papillae. Inflorescence long-exserted, consisting of from 6
to 18, 8 to 15 cm long spikes, somewhat scattered, fascicled, or whorled
along the upper part of the rachis. Spikelets oblong-lanceolate, about
3 mm long.
In thickets and open places, fl. Nov.-March and probably in other
months; widely distributed in the Philippines. India to Malaya and
Polynesia.
4. D. longiflcra (Gmel.) Pers.
A slender grass, the basal parts usually procumbent and rooting, the
flowering stems erect or ascending, 10 to 30 cm high. Leaves narrowly
lanceolate, acuminate, 2 to 6 cm long, 2 to 5 mm wide. Spikes 2 to 4,
whorled at the apex of the stem, spreading or ascending 3 to 5 cm long,
grayish-white. Spikelets pale-green, rarely purplish, 1.5 mm long, in
pairs, one pedicellate and one sessile, the first glume usually wanting or
very minute.
In Avaste places, yards, etc., occasional, fl. Aug.-Dec, widely distributed
in the Philippines. India to China and Malaya.
5. D. violascens Link.
A slender, erect or ascending, usually tufted grass 40 to 90 cm high.
Leaves narrowly lanceolate, acuminate, 3 to 10 cm long, 3 to 6 mm wide,
ascending or spreading, mostly basal or subbasal. Spikes slender, grayish,
3 to 8, whorled at the apex of the stem, ascending or spreading, 5 to 12
cm long. Spikelets 1.5 mm long, crowded, in pairs on the lower side of
the slender rachis, the flowering glume when mature usually dark-purple.
In fallow lands, borders of thickets etc., Masambong, fl. Aug.-Nov.;
widely distributed in the Philippines. Tropics generally.