GRASS FAMILY. 



383 



has much g-eneral resemblance to the following species (P. pratensis)» 

 when growing in open grounds ; but is decidedly inferior in value, — and 

 may be readily distinguished from it, by the elongated ligule and re- 

 trorsely scabrous sheaths and culms. In woodlands, it is often a weak 

 straggling plant. 



4, P. praten'sis, L. Culm and sheaths smooth ; ligule short, truncate ; 

 panicle somewhat crowded, regular, finally spreading ; spikelets ovate, 

 acute, 3 - 5-flowered ; florets connected by a villous web. 



Meadow Poa. Spear Grass. Green Grass. Smooth Meadow-Grass. 



Fr. Paturin des Pres. Germ. Vieh-gras. Wiesen Rispen-grass. 



Root perennial, creeping. Plant smooth. Culm erect, 1-2 or 3 feet higb, slender, 

 terete. Radical leaves often very numerous, and long (1-2 feet or more in length, in 

 good soils), scarcely a line Mide and exactly linear, terminating abruptly in a boat-shaped 

 or keeled point, deep green, slightly scabrous on the margin ; the culm leaves shorter than 

 the striate-nerved glabrous sheaths ; ligule scarious, short, obtuse, often crcnate-dentate. 

 PanicZc at first rather crowded, at length expanding and pyramidal, the branches semi- 

 verticillate, 3-5 from a node, flexuose and nearly smooth. ^_pi'^eZe«s pedicellate, a little 

 crowded on the branches ; 2 or 3 - 5-flo\vered ; flrrrets acute, connected at base by cobweb- 

 like hairs. Glumes a little unequal, compressed, keeled, sharply acuminate. Lower palea 

 somewhat compressed, acute, 5-nerved, the upper one acuminate, slightly scabrous on the 

 two keels. 



Fields, meadows, and woodlands : introduced ? Fl. May -June. Fr. July. 



Ohs. This species varies considerably, in size and appearance, when 

 growing in different soils and situations. In our best soils, the radical 

 leaves are very long and luxuriant, — when it is known by the name of 

 " Green Grass." In Kentucky, it is commonly called " Blue Grass,"' — a 

 name which properly belongs to the following species (p, compressa, 

 L.). It is the profusion of the nutritious radical leaves, which consti- 

 tutes the chief excellence of this grass. It is. indeed, as Muhlenberg 

 terms it, "■optimum pabulum," — being decidedly the most valuable of all 

 the grasses known in our pastures. It has not been found necessary, in 

 Pennsylvania (of latter years, at least), to cultivate it, by sowing the 

 seed ; for when the land is duly prepared by lime and manure, it soon 

 takes possession of the soil — or comes in, as the farmers term it, — and 

 supersedes the artificial grasses. The prevalence, therefore, and luxuriant 

 growth of this grass, is one of the best evidences of the land being in 

 good condition, and well managed. In very poor land, it deteriorates 

 so much that it would scarcely be recognized as the same plant. The 

 slender culms, of this species, afford an excellent material for the manu- 

 facture of the finer kinds of Leghorn hats. 



5. P. COmpres'sa, L. Culm oblique or declined at base, much com- 

 pressed ; panicle contracted, somewhat secund ; spikelets oblong-ovate, 

 3 - 6-flowered ; florets connected by a villous web. 



Co.MPRESsED Poa. Blue Grass. Wire Grass. Flat-stalked Meadow-Grass. 



Fr. Paturin applati. Germ. Pehwasen. 



Root perennial, creeping (numerous branching rhizomas). Plant smooth with rather 



