CHAP. I. 



MEADOW GRASSES. 



909 



graceful tree-like branching of the panicle. In general appearance 

 they are somewhat suggestive of the fescues, but they never bear awns 

 as many of the fescues do. The most widely distributed member of 

 the group, the ANNUAL MEADOW GRASS (Poa annua, L.), is a weed, 

 springing up wherever opportunity may offer. It invades bare spots in 

 pastures, occurs in gateways and on gravel walks, grows in the crevices 

 between paving stones, and flourishes on walls and roofs. An examina- 

 tion of a specimen of annual meadow grass (fig. 403) will bring into 

 view the leading characters of the genus Poa. Near the ground the 

 stems are flattened, the leaves are short with blunt ends, whilst the 



Fig. 403. Annual Meadow Grass. 



Poa annua. 



Fig. 404. Smooth Stalked 

 Meadow Grass. 



Poa pratensis. 



ligule is long, pointed, whitish, and clasps the stem. The whole plant 

 is limp and pale-coloured, and the leaves are often waved. Its small 

 size and the brief duration of its life serve to render Poa annua 

 practically valueless to the farmer. In the United States it is known 

 by such names as Spear Grass, Dwarf Meadow Grass, May Grass, 

 Suffolk Grass, and Goose Grass. 



The following species of Poa possess agricultural interest : 



Poa pratensis, L. 

 Poa trivialis. L. 

 Poa nemoralis, L. 



Smooth-stalked meadow grass. 

 Rough-stalked meadow grass. 

 Wood meadow grass. 



Notwithstanding their general similarity, it is not difficult to 

 distinguish between these three species. For example, the ligule is 

 long and pointed in Poa trivialis, obtuse but prominent in Poa 

 pratensis, and practically absent in Poa nemoralis. The leaves of Poa 

 pratensis are broader and blunter than those of Poa trivialis. If the 

 plant is drawn through the hand, Poa pratensis is found to be smooth, 

 whilst Poa trivialis is rough. 



SMOOTH-STALKED MEADOW GRASS (Poa pratensis), thrives naturally 



