Order GRAMINEZE. 
Genus Poa. 
Sub-Order Festucaceal 
3.—POA ANCEPS, Var. r , breviculmis. 
HARD SHORT STEMMED POA. 
(Plate XLV. C.) 
Poa anceps, Forst. Var. C, breviculmis, Hook, fil., FI. N.Z., I., 306. 
Poa anceps, Forst. Var. C. breviculmis, Hook, fil., Handb. N Z. FI., I., 339. 
A small, prostrate, branching grass, branches ascending, found from sea-level to 3000 feet altitude. 
Perennial. Culms 4—6 inches high, prostrate at the base. Leaves 2—4 inches long, curving, distichous, 
smooth. Panicle 1 — 1\ inches long, ovate, contracted, smooth. Spikelets small, short, broad, 
2—4-flowered. Empty glumes 3-nerved. Flowering glume 5-nerved, scabridous, and with long tufts of 
long flocculent silky hair at base. Palea bifid, 2-nerved. Scales oblique, acute. Anthers long. 
Distribution of Var. C, breviculmis: NEW ZEALAND. 
This variety of Poa anceps is most prevalent on poor dry soil, being often abundant on dry gravel 
terraces, when under such circumstances it is of a harsh nature, and refused by stock when more 
succulent grasses are present. This harshness of foliage, however, in many grasses is not a proof of the 
absence of nutrient properties, as many such are fattening, and if cut down are readily eaten. The 
selection of pasture best adapted for aged sheep is of much importance, as they would be certain to fall 
off in condition where grasses, such as the present species, are abundant, from sheer inability to graze 
them. Distribution in New Zealand: NOT UNCOMMON IN IIIE DRY UPLAND 
PASTURES OF THE SOUTH ISLAND. 
Reference to Plate XLV. C : Fig. 1. Plant. 2. Spikelet. 3. Floret. 4,4. Nervation of empty 
glumes. 5. Nervation of flowering glume. 6. Nervation of Palea. 7. Scale. 8,8'. Grain, front and 
side views. 
