GRASS FAMILY. 383 
has much general resemblance ~ the following species 02 pratensis), 
when growing in open grounds; but is deci cidedly infevior in value,—and 
le 
may be readily distinguished ilies it, by the elongated ligule and re- 
trorsely oe sheaths and culms. In woodlands, it is fiir a weak 
straggling plan 
4, P, ae L. Cale and sheaths smooth ; ligule short, truncate ; 
—— somewhat cro ed, regular, finally Ls reading Bec: elets ovate, 
te, 3~5-flowered ; qaek a onnected by a 
id Poa. Spear Grass. Green Grass. pri ae 
Fr. Paturin des Prés. Germ. Vieh-gras. Wiesen Rispen-grass. 
Root perennial, creeping. Bie ihibet Culm. erect, 1-2 or Bn feet high, slender, 
terete. Radical Pn numerous, and long (1-2 feet or more in length, in 
£00d soils), scarcely a pride ee enictits acl ; terminating sorapely in a boat-sha aped 
or keeled point, deep zreen, Apri et: 8 he m meren i sthe culm leaves shorter than 
the vip nerved pla abro' eaths ; ligule sca: s, short obtuse, often crenate-dentate. . 
Panicle at first rather cro di pyramidal, op branches semi- 
verticillate, - 5 tron a nod se he xuose and nearly smoo' a. , icellate, a little 
crowded on the branches ; 2 or 3-5-flowered ; ; florets acute, connected at if hase by cobweb- 
like hairs. Giwmes a little un equal, compressed, keeled or de acuminate. Lower palea 
rae what eorapreeesd, acute, 5-nerve: , the upper one acumin: ligh brous on the 
0 
Fie! “39 “iecadoes, and woodlands : introduced? Fl. May-June. Fr. July. 
Obs. This cies varies considerably, in size and gL ger when 
lg 3 in different soils and situations. In our best soils, the radical 
eaves are very lon, = and Poe neon: Ra it is known by the name of 
- ors n Kentucky, it monly called Ee Grass,” 
name which pro - bela 83 to the following species com 
L.). It ist se Suro faiont a fr the nutrit nee Poet leaves, L grams consti- 
tu a his grass. es indeed, as 
os esi “ optimum poral Wranip: decidedly the — valuable of le of al 
the nown in our pastures. It has not been f und necessary, in 
Peeyani tot latter years, at least), to cultivate it by sowing the 
seed ; for when the land i a red by lime and manure, it soon 
pomceal on of the soil—or comes in, a ha farmers term it,—and 
es air tificial grasses. "The p 1 ‘thereto 
~ oi h of this san is one of the best evidences ety aa 
g00d condition, and well managed. In very poor it deteri 
80 much that it would seareely be recognized as the same plant. 
culms ftiedcun CxteRIeNG inthe! for the mann- 
facture of the finer Tande of Leghorn hats. 
5. P. compres estas, I. Ou Culm obligne or detined at ase, mach com- 
eet pani Se; See oblong-ovate, 
— 6-flo wered ; py beeprtae print 1 by a reillons web. : 
Compressep Poa. Blue Grass. Wire Grass. Flat-stalked Meadow-Grass. 
Br: 2 Retain: ee Gert. Rebwaseni: 
Y eo ¢ 
. fins sy i “aie a7 ith thas 
