40 Census of the Grasses of New South Wales. 



POA NODOSA, Nees. 



" Nodding poa." 



A perennial (?) species, usually attaining a height of 2 feet, and only found 

 in the southern parts of the Colony. This is the most distinct of all the 

 Australian Poas. Besides its broad spikelets, which are almost like those of 

 the large quaking grass (Briza) , there are two or three globular or ovoid 

 nodules at the base of each stem. I have observed this in very small 

 specimens. During the summer months this grass produces a fair amount of 

 rich succulent herbage, which sheep are fond of. It is worth disseminating 

 in the colder parts of the Colony. This grass produces a fair amount of seed, 

 which ripens in January and February. 



POLLINIA EULVA, Benth. 

 " Sugar grass." 



A tall perennial species, growing from 2 to 4 or even more feet high, which 

 is generally found 011 moist land, and along water courses in the interior, 

 but nowhere very plentifully. This grass is easily recognised by its rich brown 

 silky spikes of flowers. It is a superior pasture grass, and during the summer 

 months it produces a great amount of rich succulent sweet herbage, which is 

 much relished by all herbivora, and, if cut before the flower stems appear, it 

 makes excellent hay. Under cultivation, this grass produces an amount of 

 forage that is quite astonishing, and I can highly recommend it for per- 

 manent pasture or hay, or it is even bulky enough to make into ensilage. 

 This grass is much praised by stockowners, and they have given it the com- 

 mon name of " sugar grass," on account of the sweetness of its stems and 

 foliage. When left unmolested for a time, it produces a fair amount of 

 seed, which ripens in November and December. 



POTAMOPHILA PAEVIELOEA, E. Br. 

 " Hastings Eiver reed." 



An aquatic glabrous perennial grass of 3 to 5 feet, which is found only in 

 the north-eastern parts of the Colony, but withal so rare, that little is known 

 of its qualities as a forage plant. This grass bears panicles of flowers between 

 1 foot and 2 feet long, of a pale silvery or purple colour, which gives it a 

 striking appearance. The seeds ripen in February and March. 



SCHEDONOEUS HOOKEEIANUS, Benth. 

 " Hooker's fescue grass." 



A stout, glabrous, perennial grass, growing from 2 to 4 feet high, which is 

 principally found in the southern parts of the Colony, where, however, it is 

 not very plentiful. It is a good pasture grass, and worthy of being widely 

 disseminated in all the colder parts of the Colony. Its herbage is greedily 

 eaten by all herbivora. Its loose panicles are often a foot long. This grass 

 produces a fair amount of seed, which ripens in February and March. 



SCHEDONOEUS LITTOEALIS, Beauv. 

 " Coast fescue grass." 



A perennial species, forming dense hard tufts of a pale yellow colour. 

 The stems rise from 1 foot to 3 or more feet high. It is always found on 

 the littoral sands, and is of much importance in such situations, and it might 

 be extensively used for binding drift-sand on our shores. There are one or 



