Chusquea
(said to be the native name of some of the species in the West Indies). SYNS. Dendragrostis Rettbergia. ORD. Gramineae. A genus embracing about thirty species of suffruticose or arborescent, sometimes climbing, American Grasses. Flowers in terminal panicles; spikelets one-flowered, variously paniculate. C. abietifolia, the only species known to cultivation in this country, is an interesting and graceful, stove, climbing Bamboo. It thrives in well-drained loam, and is propagated either by means of imported seeds or by division of the root-stock.
C. abietifolia (Abies-leaved). fl. in racemes, terminating the leafy branches; spikelets green and purple, 1/4in. to 1/3in. long. December. l. 1/2in. to 3/4in. long, 1/12in. broad, strict, erect, sessile on the sheath, linear-lanceolate, acuminate. Stems wiry, smooth, terete. Jamaica, 1885. (B. M. 6811.)