THE GRASSES OF MAINE. 41 



nodding; spikelets from two to four-flowered, the flowers acute, 

 hairy and somewhat webbed at the base. 



This species occurs on the tops of the higher mountains, and 

 flowers in August. 



Poa alpina, L., has been reported from Northern Maine with 

 doubt. 



40. Poa serotina, Ehrhart. 



Po'-a se-rotf-i-na. 



PLATE XVIII. 



Common Names. Fowl Meadow Grass, False Red-Top, Duck 

 Grass, Swamp Wire Grass. 



Stems from two to three feet high ; leaves flat, from three to six 

 inches long ; ligule elongated ; panicle from six to ten inches long, 

 the branches rough and flexuous. Spikelets from two to four- 

 flowered, often tinged with dull purple ; flowers and glumes narrow ; 

 flowering glume very obscurely nerved. 



Wet meadows and along the border of streams. Flowers in July 

 and August. 



This grass will grow on almost ever} T kind of soil, but it attains 

 the greatest perfection in a rich, moist one. It never grows so coarse 

 or hard but that the stalk is sweet and tender, and eaten withou t 

 waste. It is easily made into hay and is a nutritive and valuable 

 grass. 



Specimens from Wisconsin were analyzed at the Department of 

 Agriculture and gave, ash 4.23, fat 2.84, nitrogen-free extract, 65.81, 

 crude fiber 20.85, albuminoids 6.27. 



41. Poa pratensis, Linneus. 



Po'a pra-ten'-sis. 

 PLATE XIX. 



Common Names. Kentucky Blue-Grass, Green or Common 

 Meadow Grass, Smooth-Stalked Meadow Grass, June Grass, Brown 

 Top. 



Stems erect, lrom one and a half to two feet high, sending out 

 numerous root-stocks from the base. Panicle diffuse, pyramidal ; 

 spikelets from three to five-flowered ; flowering glume five-nerved, 

 hairy along the margins and on the keel, webbed at the base. 



