Iseilema prostratum (L.) Andersson

An uncommon species in the plains, but nevertheless a useful fodder grass.

Tufted or straggling perennial; culms 10-60 cm high, ascending, the nodes commonly bearded. Leaf-blades flat, 3-20 cm long, 2-4 mm wide, acuminate to abruptly acute. False panicle linear, 5-30 cm long; spatheole 0.7-1.2 cm long, tuberculate on the mid-nerve (sometimes obscurely so). Homogamous spikelets all pedicelled, male, lanceolate, 3-4 mm long, herbaceous, often ribbed along the nerves, sparsely ciliate on the margin. Sessile spikelet 2.5-3 nun long, glabrous (except for the bearded base); upper lemma entire; awn 5-12 mm long. Pedicelled spikelet male, lanceolate, 2.5-4.5 mm long, glabrous, deciduous.

Distribution: Pakistan (Punjab); India, Burma and Sri Lanka.