P O A A L P I N A. I Stic. Plant.
Broad-leaved Alpine Poa.
Spec. Char. Panicle bending; spiculas almost cordate; leaves broadish, rounded at the
end, and terminating in a small point.
T h e r e are few of our smaller grasses whose peculiar habits more engage our attention in their
native situations than Poa alpina; the deep red colour o f the calyx, and the inclining tendency o f the
panicle, are unusual features, and are readily observed in places wild and solitary, such as this plant
inhabits, where one notices every green thing, and piys into every recess, urged by the hopes of
discovery.:--------- Several leaves arise from the root, sheathing each other, giving the base of the straw
a thick and clumsy appearance: leaves broad, and usually terminating in a thorn-like point: floret?
about three in each calyx.- There is an uncommon tendency in this Poa to become viviparous,
at least it was very observable the summer in which w e visited Scotland, as we scarcely noticed onq
plant in twenty without die terminating floret having germinated. It will be found on Craig Hallech,
above Killen, Ben Ledi, above Callender, and several of the higher mountains.
Poa alpina appears to be a lover of the keen gales and snows of the Caledonian alps, vegetating
almost entirely on the damp and humid ledges which project from the great scars on the northern sides
of the mountains.
A, a Spicula.
B, the Calyx.
C, the Corolla.
(See a variety in the supplementary Plates.)