GRASSES OF OHIO 
279 
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. hrachyphylla. 
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 
narrow. P. nernoralis. 
9. Panicle drooping, often 1 foot or more long, its branches spreading. 
P. triflora. 
10. Midnerve of the lemma pubescent only below; spikelets crowded on the 
branches. _ P. prat crisis. 
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, ^-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. J\Iay- 
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 Torr. Weak Spear-grass. A perennial grass 
with erect, weak, slender, nearly terete stems, 1-2^ 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-flowered; lemma obtuse, 
glabrous except the webby base. 
In rocky woodlands. May-July. Trumbull County. (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 meadows and swampy places. Also called false red-top. 
July-August. Fairfield, Geauga, Lawrence. 
