206 GRASSES OF BRITAIN. 



POA POLYNODA. 



Silicious Meadow- Grass. 

 Plate XCI. 



An additional figure of this grass is here given, in order to delineate 

 the species more minutely than that in Plate XXXIX. 



The description will be found in page 85. 



From the time I first discovered this plant, specimens have been 

 under cultivation in rich soil, and plants have been reared from seeds 

 sown in pots ; no change whatever has taken place in the character 

 of the grass further than that of the panicle becoming more luxuri- 

 ant ; — the essential characters remaining constant, namely, Jlorets 

 not webbed ; outer palea five-ribbed ; ligiiles prominent ; upper leaf 

 about equal in length to it& sheath ; and the stem and sheaths much 

 compressed. I consider it a well-marked species. 



Specimens of this grass are under cultivation in Mr Lawson's nur- 

 sery gardens, Edinburgh. 



Explanation of Plate XCI. Poa polynoda, natural size. 



Fig. 1. Part of the rachis and branches. 



2. Spikelet, showing the two glumes and foiir florets. 



3. Glumes. 



4. Floret showing the two paleae. 



#. Outer palea, showing the five ribs, the middle and two lateral ones hairy. 



6. Ligule of upper sheath. 



7. Ovarium, pistils, stamens, and scales. 



