Naturalisation in Extra-Tropical Countries. 375 



Poa palustris, Linne. (Poa serotina, Ehrhart.) 



Europe, Northern Asia, North-America. A perennial grass, 

 allied to P. nemoralis, excellent for moist meadows and river-banks, 

 it will even prosper on saline ground. Its foliage is tender, tasty 

 and nourishing. In mixtures of grasses it keeps up the growth 

 until late into the autumn. P. fertilis (Host) is a mere variety of 

 this species. 



Poa pectinacea, Michaux. (Eragrostis pectinacea, Gray.) 



Middle and Southern States of North- America. This perennial 

 grass spreads rapidly over dry ground and even coast-sands. C. 

 Mohr regards it as valuable for pastures, and mentions as such 

 also Eragrostis nitida (Chapman) and E. tenuis (Gray). 



Poa pratensis, Linne.* 



The ordinary English Meadow-grass. Widely distributed as 

 indigenous through the extra-tropic regions of the northern hemi- 

 sphere, in Greenland to 81 N. A perennial species, with creeping 

 roots, fit for any even very dry meadows, thriving early, and able 

 to live also in alpine localities. Better adapted for pasture than 

 hay. It is suitable for moor-land, when such is laid dry ; although 

 it flowers only once during the season, it offers a nutritious fodder, 

 even on comparatively poor soil ; it resists drought, forms an excel- 

 lent sward, and can be used with advantage for intermixing 1 with 

 other pasture-grasses. Foliage particularly tender. In the United 

 States it is known as the Kentucky Blue Grass or Pennsylvania 

 Green Grass, and is considered one of the best for lawns by Profes- 

 sor Meehan, as it will crowd out all weeds in time. 



Poa trivialis, Linne.* 



Europe, North- Africa, Middle and Northern Asia. Also a good 

 perennial grass for mixture on pasture-land. One of the best 

 grasses for sowing on ground recently laid dry. Recommeiidable 

 also as a lawn-grass. Sinclair regarded the produce of this Poa as 

 superior to many other kinds, and noticed the marked partiality, 

 which horses, oxen and sheep evince towards it. To thrive well, it 

 wants rather moist and rich soil and sheltered places. It is a later 

 grass than P. pratensis, well adapted for hay, and gives good after- 

 growth [Langethal]. Well suited for irrigation -culture. 



These few species of Poa have been singled out as recommend- 

 able, because they are well tested. Future experiments beyond 

 Europe will add others to lists of recommendations like this. 



Podachaenium alatum. Bentham. (Ferdinanda eminens, Lagasca.) 



Central America, up to a height of about 8,000 feet. A tall 

 shrub ; on account of the grandeur of its foliage in requisition for 

 scenic effects. 



