GRASSES OF OHIO 



7. Panicle-branches dividing and spikelet-bearing at or below the middle; basal 

 leaves much shorter than the stem. 8 



7. Panicle-branches usually dividing and spikelet-bearing only at the ends; basal 

 leaves very long, the early ones often as long as the stem. P. brachyphylla. 



8. Intermediate nerves of the lemma obscure. 9 



8. Intermediate nerves of the lemma prominent. 10 



9. Panicle erect, rarely over 5 in. long, its branches ascending; empty glumes 

 narmw. /'. nemoralis, 



9. Panicle drooping, often 1 foot or more long, its branches spreading, 



l\ triflora. 



10. Midnerve of the lemma pubescent only below; spikelets crowded on the 



branches. P. pratensis. 



10. Midnerve of the lemma pubescent its whole length; spikelets scattered on 



the spreading, often reflexed branches. P. sylvestris. 



1. Poa compressa L. Flat-stemmed Blue-grass. A perennial 

 grass of a pale bluish green color with wiry flattened stems, de- 

 cumbent at the base, J^-2 ft. high, from long horizontal rhizomes. 

 Panicles narrow with erect or ascending branches, spikelet-bearing 

 to the base. Spikelets 3-9-flowered ; lemma obscurely. 3-nerved, the 

 nerves sparingly pubescent toward the base, more or less bronzed 

 at the summit. 



A grass of some importance in dry mostly sterile soil, in culti- 

 vated fields and in woods. Also called English blue-grass. May- 

 September. From Europe. General and abundant. 



2. Poa trivialis L. Rough-stalked Meadow-grass. A perennial 

 grass with erect stems from a somewhat decumbent base, 1-3 ft. 

 high, scabrous below the panicle. Panicle open, its branches usually 

 spreading or ascending; leaf-sheaths and blades retrorsely scabrous; 

 spikelets 2-3-flowered : lemma webby at the base, strongly 5-nerved, 

 the midnerve silky-pubescent below, the lateral nerves naked. 



An important grass in meadows, roadsides, and waste places. 

 May-August. From Europe. Crawford County. 



3. Poa debilis Ton*. Weak Spear-grass. A perennial grass 

 with erect, weak, slender, nearly terete stems, X-ly'i ft. high, with 

 compressed sheaths much shorter than the internodes, and with an 

 open nodding panicle, the few, long, capillary branches ascending 

 or spreading at the ends. Spikelets 2-4-rlowered ; lemma obtuse, 

 glabrous except the webby base. 



In rock}' woodlands. May-July. Trumbull County. I Erie 

 County — Moseley Herbarium. ) 



4. Poa triflora Gilib. Fowl Meadow-grass. A perennial grass 



with erect stems, 1-5 ft. high, and with a pyramidal or oblong panicle, 

 often purplish, its filiform branches spreading. Spikelets 3-4-flowered; 



lemma obtuse with copious webby hairs, its intermediate nerves ob- 

 scure, midnerve and marginal nerves pubescent on the lower half. 



In wet meadow- and swampy places. Also called false red-top. 

 July-August. Fairfield, Geauga, Lawrence. 



