Page:The Journal of Indian Botany.djvu/458

36 THE JOURNAL OF INDIAN BOTANY The plant seems to respond only by slightly reducing the size of the leaves as usual in such cases. The root was a tap root about two feet long and £-| inch in diameter. The present plant was a bush about a foot high but it grows into a shrub or small tree afterwards.

26. Trianthema pentandra L. — It was found on light yellow to brown soil at Babhulgaon* on May 12, 1919. The soil round the roots contained 1*41 per cent, of available moisture.

As usual in such cases the size of the plant showed reduction which in the present one was very great. The plant was diffuse scarcely an inch in height or in the length of its branches. The leaves were ■"?- by  inch, slightly fleshy in texture. The root was a slen- der tap root 4-5 inches long, bifurcated at the apex.

27. Boerhaavia diffusa L. — Rather common in poor soils. It was found on light grey coarse soil (murum) on the side of a hill at Sirur on May 21, 1919. The soil round the roots contained 1*20 per cent, of available moisture.

As usual with the plant in extreme cases a very great suppression amounting nearly to practical absence of the leafy parts, a reduction of the size of the leaves and the possession of a very thick rather long or conical tap root was the response of the plant in the present in- stance.

28. Dipcadi montanum Dalz.— Rather common in the place. It was found in light coarse soil (murum) on the side of a hill at Sirur on May 22, 1919. The soil round the root contained 2*53 per cent, of available moisture.

Perennial nature and ability to remain dormant are characteristics of the plant that enable it to tide over unfavourable times.

The plant as usual had a tunicated bulb and slender fibrous roots ; having just fruited it was passing into a condition of rest. It was therefore leafless at the time.

29. Cyathocline lyrata Gxss. — It was found in medium black rather sticky soil at Parner on May 23, 1919. The soil round the roots contained 2'45 per cent, of available moisture.

This species shows great variation as regards the hairiness of the leaves in different situations. In the present instance the plant was densely hairy. It had apparently finished fruiting long ago and was probably sprouting from the dormant cottony buds found in the lower axils on the stem. This might possibly be due to some rain which had fallen at Parner, a few days previous to the date of collection.

30. AndropOgon monticola Schultz. — Found in light grey coarse soil (murum) on the slopes of a hill at Sirur on May 21, 1919.


 * The rainfall at Pathardi and Babhulgaon is practically the same as at Shevgaon.