P O A CÆS IA. {
Blue Alpine Boa.
Smith's Flora Britan.
■ '
Sp e c . C h a r . Panicle expanding} peduncles frequently supporting a single spicula} corolla
with little wool at the base} terminating joint of the straw very long.
T h is beautiful plant is found on a few of the highest mountains of North Britain, on Ben Lawerâ, and
sparingly on Craig Hallech, selecting for its residence the cold damp crevices of the precipitous scars
on the northern sides of the hills, where its singular blue colour at once arrests our attention: it is
these crags which preserve the rare plants that exist in alpine regions, by being inaccessible to the
animals which browse on the mountains, nibbling down every germ of vegetation} and thus they
remain uninjured to cheer the few whose botanical ardour conveys them to these regions of peril and
wonder.------ Radical leaves short, a little rough on the edges} cauline leaves longer, and rough on
the inner surface} upper joint of the straw very long, bearing a single leaf at the base} straw rough,
very sensibly so when dry} panicle branches at times supporting four or five spikets, but very generally
the panicle consists (often entirely) of long peduncles, supporting a single spicula.--------- Poa
cæsia is not abandoned by its colour upon introduction into our gardens, still retaining its remarkable
hue nearly as strong as in its native stations, but becorpes more enlarged and luxuriant in its growth.
Our knowledge of these alpine plants is very limited and confined} the situations they inhabit are
never visited but by the foot of the wandering shepherd or inquisitive botanist} we know little more
than their existence, their uses and peculiarities are hidden from observation.
P. cæsia, in many of its characters, bears a near resemblance to weak plants of P. nemoralis} the
straw of P. nemoralis having several joints, is one of the first features that mark their difference.
A, a Spicula.
B, the Calyx.
C, the Corolla. 1