246 PLANTS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



early and long. It makes beautiful patches everywhere, and is 

 deservedly receiving more attention. 



P. compressa, L. Is the Blue Grass, or Blue Spear Grass, 

 named from its compressed and much-flattened stem, and bluish- 

 green color ; much less common, does not form turf, though it 

 grows in clusters, and might, perhaps, when cultivated, be valua- 

 ble, but seems to delight in the borders of woods and moist situa- 

 tions along banks. Seems to be loved by cattle. 



P. nervata. W. Meadow Spear Grass. The Foul Meadow 

 of many farmers, 3 or 4 feet high, erect, with a recurved panicle 

 in its older state, waving beautifully in the wind, and having a fine 

 appearance. It is a much coarser grass than the preceding, and 

 is not so well relished by cattle, though it is readily eaten as hay 

 in winter. Some other coarse grasses go to make up all that is 

 called Foul JMeadoio. 



P. eragrostis. L. Branching Spear Grass. A large and 

 beautiful grass, with a diffuse panicle of flowers and fruit ; color 

 bright-green ; not common ; sandy soil. 



P. Canadensis. Torrey. Another large and beautiful grass, 

 about orchards and fields ; not abundant. 



P. nemoralis. L. Inhabits wet open woods ; a large, tall, 

 rank grass, with a long, finely arched panicle of fruit ; too coarse 

 for food, except when young ; Berkshire County ; June. 



P. maritima. Huds. A beautiful grass about salt marshes. 

 Big. A foot high ; branches in pairs. 



P. capillaris. L. A beautiful, slender grass in its panicle, 

 which is large, loose, and spreading. 



P. dentata. Torrey. Has a loose panicle ; wand-like branch- 

 es ; spikelets 5-flowered ; lower palea 5-nerved and 5-toothed at 

 the apex ; swamps ; June. 



