186 HORTUS GRAMINEUS WOBURNENSIS. 



The root is as powerfully creeping as that species, but for which, 

 it might rank with the most valuable grasses. It contains 

 more nutritive matter than the Poa pratensis or Poa trivialis. Its 

 spring produce is nearly double that of either of these grasses; 

 and it is perfectly exempt, as before observed, from the disease 

 that detracts so much from the merits of the Poa nemoralis, var. 

 angustifolia, which nearest approaches to this species, in the supe- 

 riority of early and abundant herbage in the spring. It flowers 

 towards the end of May, and the seed is ripe about the third week 

 of June. The culms are most valuable for the Manufacturer of the 

 finest straw-plait, in imitation of the celebrated Leghorn. 



The seed of a species of grass was received from America, 

 under the name of Spear-grass, by Joseph Sabine, esq., secretary 

 to the Horticultural Society, and communicated by that gentle- 

 man to the Duke of Bedford. This grass was stated to be the 

 same as that which Miss Woodhouse, in America, used in the 

 manufacture of her prize bonnet in imitation of Leghorn. This 

 seed was sown in the grass garden at Woburn Abbey, and the 

 plants raised from it proved to be those of Poa pratensis, or 

 smooth-stalked meadow-grass. 



Plants of the American-grass, as it is sometimes called, were 

 also received from Mr. Anderson, of the Botanic Garden, Chelsea, 

 which proved to be identical with the Poa pratensis. 



POA fertilis. Fertile Meadow-grass. Germ. Spates Rispen- 

 gras. 



Specific character : Panicle loose, spreading ; spikelets oval, spear- 

 shaped, 5-flowered; florets connected at the base by woolly 

 hairs ; husks generally 5-nerved, sheaths of the culms a little 

 rough ; straw somewhat compressed ; roots slightly creeping. 

 Fig. 1. Spikelet, magnified. 2. Corolla and anthers. 3. Ger- 

 men. 4. Seed. 



Obs. This grass seems to be allied to the Poa nemoralis. It 

 differs in having the panicle more loose and spreading, and 

 less attenuated. The spikets are more oval and nerved, 

 otherwise the number of florets might occasion a doubt. 

 The culm rises from a foot and a half to two feet in height 

 and sometimes more ; ascending at the base, afterwards 

 erect, somewhat compressed. In long-continued moist 

 weather the lower joints send up flowering culms. The 



