NOTES ON SOME FAR NORTHERN GRASSES. 



By Charles T. and Beirne B. Brues. 



The present notes are based on a small but interesting - collec- 

 tion of grasses which have recently come into the possession of 

 the Milwaukee Public Museum. They form part of a general col- 

 lection of flowering plants collected by J. S. Warmbath in the 

 southern part of Grinnell Land, along the eastern coast of Elles- 

 mere Island at Lat. yg° N. and Long. 75 W. The area collected 

 over extends from Bache Peninsula for about two degrees south- 

 ward to Cape Sabine, and altogether six species of grasses were 

 obtained. As so little is known definitely of the flora of this 

 region, we have thought it of interest to publish the following list. 



Alopecurus alpinus J. E. Smith. 



The culms vary in height from 7 to 22 cm., averaging about 12 

 cm. None of the spikes are over 18 mm. in length, and many 

 are less than I cm. long, while their width is generally 7 to 8 mm., 

 except in the very small spikes. 



Phippsia algida (Soland.) R. Br. 



The plants are barely 2 cm. in height with panicles 6 to 8 mm. 

 in length, considerably exceeded by some of the leaves. 



Poa abbreviata R. Br. 



The culms are from 4 to 14 cm. high, even the smallest tufts 

 bearing numerous panicles, none less than 1.25 cm. long. 



Poa Iaxa Haenke. 

 The plants average nearly 2 dm. in height and bear numerous 

 panicles 4 to 5 cm. in length. All show the characteristic grayish 

 moss-green color to the leaves, while the panicles are strongly 

 yellow. 



Poa cenisia All. 



The culms are 2.5 to 3 dm. in height, with panicles 8 cm. long. 

 All the specimens are represented by thick tufts formed by the 

 present species and Alopecurus alpinus growing in very close as- 

 sociation. 



Poa alpina L. 



The plants are only 6 to 9 cm. high, with most of the panicles 

 2 to 3 cm. in length, barely exceeding the leaves. 



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