IN EXTKA-TROPICAL COUNTRIES. 253 



perennial grass can be grown on shady forest land, as the 

 name implies, but it accommodates itself also to open places, 

 and will grow even among rocks. It endures Alpine winters. 

 According to Lawson no better grass exists for displacing 

 weeds on pleasure lawns ; the same may be said of Poa com- 

 pressa, L. 



Poa pratensis, Linne. 



The ordinary English Meadow-grass. A perennial species, 

 fit for any meadows, thriving early, and able to hve also in 

 Alpine localities. Better adapted for pastm-e than hay. It 

 is suitable for moor land, when such is laid dry ; although 

 it shoots only once in the season into flower, yet it forms a 

 nutritious fodder, even on comparatively poor soil. It resists 

 drought. It forms excellent sward, and with advantage can 

 be used for intermixing it with other pasture grasses. In the 

 United States it is known as the Kentucky Blue Grass or Penn- 

 sylvania Green Grass, and is considered one of the best for 

 lawns, by Professor Meehan, as it wiU crowd out all weeds 

 in time. 



Poa trivialis, Linn^.* 



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. Recommend- 

 able 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, is well 

 adapted for hay, and gives good after-growth (Langethal) . 

 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 tHs. 



PodachsBniuiU alatum, Bentham. [Ferdinanda eminens, Lagasca.) 



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

 for the grandeur of its foliage in requisition for scenic efBects. 



Podophyllum peltatum, Linne. 



North America. A perennial forest-herb, not Avithout im- 

 portance for medicinal purposes. The root contains the bitter 

 alkaloid berberin. Podophyllum Emodi (Wall.), occun-ing in 

 the Indian mountains at heights from 6,000 to ] 4,000 feet, 

 can probably be used like the American species. The berries 

 of both are edible, though the root and leaves are poisonous. 



