24 PASTURE PLANTS AND PASTURES OF N.Z. 



The seed is very small and light, and its germination is 

 usually very poor. Any test of its germination capacity 

 should, however, be conducted with the seeds exposed to 

 light. The seed is mostly of American origin. 



Poa Trivialis or Rough Stalked Meadow Grass (Poa 

 trivialis). This grass is very much like the former in all 

 points regarding its leafy parts, but it never produces 

 rhizomes, and therefore is not a twitch. 



It is permanent, but produces only a moderate amount 

 of feed which, however, is of fair quality. It succeeds best 

 in warm moist climates on rather good soil. Here it makes 

 a close sole of grass, and for this reason is more or less 

 regularly used in Taranaki and northern parts of Wellington 

 Districts. It is useful in the same way as Dogstail is, that 

 is, for forming a close turf among taller growing grasses ; 

 but while Dogstail combines best with Cocksfoot, Poa 

 trivialis finds its best companion in Foxtail. 



The seed is still smaller and lighter than that of Poa 

 pratensis and its germination better. Seven pounds will 

 completely sow an acre, and therefore it must be sparingly 

 used (about half-a-pound) in mixtures. An average price 

 of the seed is Is. 5d. per pound. 



Paspalum (Paspalum dilatatum). This grass also is 

 known by its botanical name. It is of very robust growth, 

 and is practically confined to the northern half of Auckland 

 Province. It has very strong rhizomes, a compressed sheath, 

 and the edges of the ensheathing part of the leaves are 

 fringed with long spiky silken hairs. There is a large ligule 

 with a sparse fringe of long hairs behind it, and the blade of 

 the leaf is cigar-shaped, that is, distinctly broader in the 

 middle than at either end. 



Paspalum is a permanent grass producing a large 

 quantity of fodder on suitable soils. It thrives only in 

 the warmest portions of the Dominion, since in other 



