IN TENNESSEE. 



229 



POA, L.— (Meadow Grass). 



Panicle of I'oa compressa, reduced in 

 size (1); a magnified spikelets (2); a sepa- 

 rate flower more magnified (3); a lower 

 palet cut across and somewhat outspread 

 (4), 



vate or lanceolate, laterally 

 compressed, several; 2-10 flowered in an 

 open panicle. Glumes mostly shorter 

 ■ than the flowers; the lower smaller. Low- 

 er palet membranaceous; herbaceous, with 

 a delicate scarious, margin ; compressed, 

 keeled, pointless, 5 nerved, (the inter- 

 mediate nerves more obscure or obsolete), 

 the principal nerves commonly clothed 

 at and towa ds the base with soft hairs ; upper palet membranaceous, 

 2, toothed ; base of the flower often cobwebby. Stamens 2-3. Stigmas 

 simply plumose. Grain oblong, free. Culms tufted from perennial 

 roots, except Poa annua. Leaves smooth, usually flat and soft. 



The softness and greater roundness of the spikelets, the absence of 

 bristle awned tips, the open pyramidal panicle give this genus a habit 

 which distinguishes it readily from the allied genus Festuca. 



Besides the species formerly described with the cultivated grasses, 

 there remain to mention : 



POA ALSODE .', Gray— (Leafy Meadow Grass.) 



The uppermost leaves often sheathing the capillary branches of the 

 loose panicle, which generally stands in threes or fourB. Lower palet 

 very obscurely nerved, villose on the keel below. Woods. Mowers 

 in April and May. It is a scattered growing grass. 



POA SYIiVESTBIS, GT&y-(Sylvan Meadow Grass.) 



Spikelets very small, loosely 2-4. flowered. Culms flatish, erect; 



branches of the oblong pyramidal panicle short, numerous, in fives or 



more. A very light and tender grass, growing scattered through the 

 woods. May. 



POA DEBILIS, Torrey— ( Weak Meadow Grass). 



Panicle loose, few flowered, somewhat spreading; the branches mostly 

 in pairs, flexuous, a little rough ; spikelets ovate, obtuse, 3 flowered ; 

 the flowers webbed at the base, smoothish lower palea oblong, obtuse, 

 slightly 3-nerved; leaves and sheaths smooth; ligule, oblong, acute. 

 Perennial. Flowers in May; a soft eatable, but too scattered growing 

 grass. 



