Order GRAMINE/E. 
Genus Poa. 
Suh-Order Festucace 
3.— POA ANOEPS, Var. e , debilis. 
SLENDER POA. 
(Plate XL FI, E.) 
Poa anceps. Yar. E, debilis, Kirk, M.S. 
A long, slender, tufted grass. Perennial. Culms 12,—16 inches high, smooth. Leaves longer than 
the culm, very narrow, slender, drooping ; sheaths narrow; ligule very short. Panicle 4—5 inches long, 
inclined, branches few, in distant pairs, capillary. Spikelets few, J inch long, narrow, 4—5-flowered, 
terminal near the ends of the branches. Empty glumes 3-nerved. Flowering glumes 5-nerved, finely 
scabridous and tufted, with long flocculent hair at the base. Palea bifid, 2-nerved. Anthers long. 
Scale oblique, acute. Grain narrow. Distribution of Var. E, debilis : NEW ZEALAND. 
This very slender grass was discovered by Mr. T. Kirk, F.L.S., near the hot springs in the 
Auckland District, and has probably been developed there under the peculiar circumstances of heat and 
moisture which prevail in that locality. It has been previously shown that the conditions most 
favourable to maximum growth with the New Zealand species of Poa are under a temperate or 
probably severe climate, at altitudes of 4000—5000 feet: it may therefore be assumed that this weakly 
variety is the result of forcing. It can, however, only possess a local value, where, from its large size 
and succulent habit, it will be readily eaten by stock, but, from the peculiar circumstances of its forced 
and rapid growth, its nutrient value may be doubted. Distribution in New Zealand : NORTH 
ISLAND: HOT SPRINGS, AUCKLAND—Kirk. 
Reference to Plate XLVI. E : 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. 
