100 THE AGRICULTURAL GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES. 



PoA AjN^jSUA. (Annual Si)ear grass, Goose grass.) 



Tbis grass is a native of Europe, but has become extensively natur- 

 alized in this and man^^ other countries. It is an annual or biennial 

 species of low growth, usually 3 or 4 to 6 or 10 in ches high, with pale- 

 green, tender leaves. It is commonly found in door-yards or neglected 

 lots or on the roadside. It blooms very early in the spring, and also- 

 frequently iu the fall. It is very nutritious, but so small that the yield 

 is deficient in quantity. It appears to die at the approach of hot 

 weather. 



Poa Jfexuosa, Poa hrevifolia, Poa debilis, and Poa sylrestris^ are species 

 growing in woods or shaded grounds in different parts of the country,. 

 South and East, but are not of much agricultural importance. 



Glyceria. 



This genus is closely related to Poa, and is characterized as follows : 

 Spikelets terete or flattish, several to many flowered, the axis of the 

 flowers smooth, the outer glumes shorter than the flowers, unequal^ 

 membranaceous, one to three nerved, the flowering glumes membrana- 

 ceous or subcoriaceous, obtuse, awnless, more or less hyaline, and finely- 

 toothed or worn at the apex, rounded (not keeled) on the back, five to 

 nine nerved, the nerves separate and all vanishing before reaching the 

 apex ; palet about as long as its glume, two-keeled, entire or bifid at 

 the apex. 



The species of this genus are not of much agricultural importance. 

 They mostly grow in wet or swampy ground, and where found in 

 abundance can be utilized for pasturage or hay-making. 



Glyceria aquatica. (Reed Meadow grass. White Spear grass.) 



This species is widely diffused in the northern portions of the United 

 States, Canada, the Eocky Mountains, and the Northwestern States 

 and Territories. It has a stout, erect, leafy culm, 3 to 4 feet high. 

 The leaves are a foot or two long, a quarter to half an inch wide, flat, 

 and somewhat rough, especially on the edges. The panicle is large, 9' 

 to 15 inches long, much branched ; the branches arranged in half 

 whorls alternately on the main axis, at first erect, but spreading with 

 age. The spikelets are oblong, about three lines long, five to nine flow- 

 ered, on capillary pedicels. Thelower third of the branches is naked. The 

 outer glumes are one-nerved, and unequal. The flowering glumes are 

 obtuse, prominently seven nerved or ribbed, mostly entire at the apex. 

 The palet is two-toothed, two-nerved, and about as long as its glume. 



Hon. J. S. Gould says: 



This grass is made into Lay which is liked by cattle. It flowers iu July. It is 

 found in most parts of Europe, and is Avidely diffused iu this country iu wettish 

 meadows. 



It is doubtf ul if the European grass of this name is identical with the 

 American one, although much resembling it. (Plate 104.) 



