Stenotaphrum
(from stenos, narrow, and taphros, a trench; referring to the cavities in the rachis in which the spikelets are seated). SYN. Diastemanthe. ORD. Gramineae. A small genus (two or three species) of stove, creeping, radicant grasses, inhabiting tropical regions, mostly near the sea. Spikelets usually two or four together in very short spikes, embedded in the alternate notches of the broad rachis of a spike-like panicle, the rachis of the partial spike usually produced into a short point beyond the insertion of the spikelets, and the common rachis often disarticulating transversely between the notches when old; glumes four; inflorescence terminal. Leaves flat or convolute, spreading. S. americanum, the only species in cultivation, is a curious, perennial grass, thriving in a light, loamy soil. It may be increased by seeds, or by divisions.
S. americanum (American). Australian Buffalo Grass. fl., spikes solitary and terminal, 2in. or more long, the rachis flat and flexuous, readily disarticulating transversely between the notches when old. l. obtuse, flat or involute, the sheaths usually broad and flat, ciliated at the orifice. Stems somewhat flattened. h. about 1ft. Tropical regions, &c. SYN. S. glabrum. S. a. variegatum (variegated).* l. 2in. to 4in. long, blunt, freely striped with creamy-white. 1874. An excellent basket plant. This is probably the plant catalogued by some nurserymen as Stephanophorum glabrum variegatum. S. glabrum (glabrous). A synonym of S. americanum.