Derivation
Polytrias Hack. in H.G.A.Engler and K.A.E.Prantl, Nat. Pflanzenfam. II, 2: 24 (1887); from the Greek poly (many) and trias (in threes), alluding to the raceme of spikelets arranged in groups of three.

indica- from India.

Published in
Blumea 36: 180 (1991).

Common synonyms
Polytraias amaura (Buse) Kunth
Polytrias diversiflora (Steud.) Nash

Habit
Perennial, mat forming. Culms prostrate, 10–40 cm tall, rooting from lower nodes. Mid-culm nodes pubescent. Lateral branches branched. Ligule a fringed membrane, 0.2 mm long. Leaf-blades lanceolate, 2–7 cm long, 2–5 mm wide.

Inflorescence
Rames single, 2–7 cm long. Rhachis fragile at the nodes, flattened, ciliate on margins. Rame internodes linear, 2.5–3 mm long.

Spikelets
Spikelets in threes, all alike, 2 sessile. Pedicels linear, flattened, 2.5–3 mm long, ciliate. Companion spikelets bisexual. Fertile spikelets 2-flowered, comprising 1 fertile floret, without rhachilla extension, elliptic, dorsally compressed, truncate, 3–5 mm long, 0.8 mm wide, falling entire, deciduous from the base and with accessory branch structures. Spikelet callus base truncate, attached transversely.

Glumes
Glumes dissimilar, firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate or oblong, 100% of length of spikelet, cartilaginous or coriaceous, 2-keeled, keeled obtusely, 4–6-nerved. Lower glume lateral nerves obscure. Lower glume intercarinal nerves distinct. Lower glume surface flat. Lower glume surface pilose, hairy generally. Lower glume apex truncate. Upper glume oblong, 4–5 mm long, 3-nerved. Upper glume surface pilose. Upper glume apex truncate.

Florets
Basal sterile floret 1, with vestigial lower floret. Fertile lemma oblong, 0.7–2 mm long, hyaline, firmer above (coriaceous), 1-nerved. Lemma apex dentate, 2–3-fid, with linear lobes, incised 30% of lemma length, 1-awned. Median (principal) awn from a sinus, geniculate, 8–12 mm long overall, with a twisted column. Palea absent or minute. Anthers 2–2.5 mm long.

Continental Distribution:
Africa, Temperate Asia, Tropical Asia, Australasia, Pacific,South America.

Australian Distribution:
Queensland: Cook, Burke.

Classification. (GPWG 2001):
anicoideae: Andropogoneae

Notes
Native. Occurs from Malesia to Qld. The three Australian collections are from the South Johnson Research Station, Qld and it might be assumed they are naturalised introductions but for a note on one of the specimens which mentions that the grass has been seen on "more secluded areas of Palmerston". Pan-tropically introduced and escaping. Used as a drought resistant lawn grass. Flowers April–August.