POA TRIVIALIS. { Spec.Plavt.
Rough-stalked Poa.
Sp e c . -Char. Panicle spreading3 spikets with about three florets in each; straw occasionally
rough; membrane o f the leaf pointed*
M uch similarity exists between this Poa and the next species, but yet there is an undefinable habit
peculiar to each that very often manifests the plant, but the botanist requires a feature strong and
permanent; this Mr. Hudson * has most happily noticed, and by attention to his directions we shall
rarely err: the stipula, or membrane that arises from the leaf, and partly sheaths the straw, in this
species, is long and pointed (Fig. A). The less certain distinctions are the greater luxuriance o f the
Poa trivialis, and the sheathing being somewhat angular, and roughish in the hand; but yet this plant
growing in aquatic places, loses much of that roughness, and assimilates the softness of the water
grasses.------ This Poa is nearly one of the best of our pasture grasses, it throws out numerous shoots,
and produces an abundance of sweet and nutritious herbage; but low lands and meadows are its delight,
nor does it assume these valuable characters to advantage but in such situations.
A, part of the leaf, shewing the acute membrane.
B, the valves of the Calyx.
C, the Corolla.
* Most highly as we esteem the botanical erudition of the late Mr. Curtis, to whom this excellent distinction is usually
attributed, yet in justice to the author of thé Flora Anglica, we cannot help mentioning that the merit of pointing out
the distinguishing character between these species (the P. pratensis and P. trivialis) is undoubtedly due to Mr. Hudson:
of theP. trivialis he says ‘ stipula acuminata;’ of the P. pratensis he observes ‘ stipula obtusa;’ yet we are convinced that
Mr. Curtis did not arrogantly assume this merit to himself, but overlooked the distinctions marked by Hudson; a solitary
jnstance perhaps of inattention in that excellent botanist!
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