43 



Poa nemoralis L. var ? . — Much smaller than the precefling, with perfectly erect 

 stems ; the heads a shorter, closer panicle. Probably a form of higher altitudes. 

 Head of Pole Creek, July 22, (3435). 



Poa nevadensis Vasey (Nevada Blue-grass, fig. 15). — Forming small bunches, the 

 ample leaves, numerous stems, and well-developed heads make this a grass that 

 always attracts attention. In the open range it is always browsed down except 

 where protected by fallen timber or otherwise. It seems to ])refer open woods 

 on the slopes of the foothills or, more rarely, the partly shaded stream banks. 

 Laramie Hills, June 16 ^3179^; 

 "G." Summer ranch, July 23 

 (3823) ; Granger, July 30, (3891a). 



Poa pratensis L. (Kentucky Blue- 

 grass, tig. 16). — This well- 

 known grass needs no descrip- 

 tion. It is widely distributed 

 and everywhere recognized as 

 a most important grass. Cen- 

 tennial Valley, July 2 (.3278); 

 North Vermilion Creek, .luly 18 

 (37.58) ; head of North Vermilion 

 Creek, July 20 (3796) ; Evanston, 

 July 27 (3844); Woods Creek, 

 August 9 (3942 ; Grand Encamp- 

 ment, August 13(3999). 



Poa reflexa Vasey & Scribn. 

 (MouxTAix Blue-grass). — A 

 beautiful form of the higher 

 mountains, usually as a bunch 

 grass but often more scattering; 

 stems moderately slender, 10 to 

 18 inches high; panicle loose 

 and ample, the pedicels retlexed 

 in age. It occurs in ravines and 

 sometimes in abundance on the 

 slopes in subalpine stations. 

 That it is an excellent pasture 

 grass hardly admits of doubt, 

 but it is too often in most inac- 

 cessible places. Battle Lake 

 Mountain, August 17 (4038 and 

 4044). 



Poa sheldoni Vasey (Sheldon's 

 Blue-grass, PI. IV). — Stems 

 slender and erect with well- 

 formed heads; leaves mostly 

 basal, short, slender, and some- 

 what rigid; usually occurring 



as a bunch grass, varying in height from 1 to 2 feet, according to location 

 probably belongs to the arid region, but is not contined to th(^ drier situations. 

 In fact, it occurs more frequently on the drier portions of the bottom lands and 

 on the higher ground about spring bogs. In all such situations it must be con- 

 sidered as one of the valuable grasses. Its earliness detracts from its value as 

 a meadow grass unless it can be grown by itself, as it is out of condition 

 before the other constituents of the meadow are in condition for harvesting. 

 Pine Bluffs, July 7 (.3644); Beaver Basin, July 22 (3806); North Fork, Vermilion 

 Creek, July 18 (3754 and 3785); Evanston, July 28 (3869). 



Fig 



16. — Kentncky Blne-jirass (Poa pratensis) : a, 

 spikelet ; 6, Horet. 



It 



