The Botany of Iceland - 01.12.1942, Blaðsíða 151

THE PTERIDOPHYTA AND SPERMATOPHYTA OF ICELAND
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throughout Europe, in the southern parts only in the mountains.—Asia : Temperate
regions.
80. Poa pratensis Linn., Sp. pl. ed. I (1753) p. 67.
K. & M., 1770, p. 204.—Babington, 1871, p. 343.—Gronlund, Isl. Fl., 1881,
p. 131.—Stefánsson, Fl. Isl., ed. 1, 1901, p. 54.—Ibid., ed. 2, 1924, p. 62.—
C.H.O., Fl. arct., 1902, p. 121.—O. & Gr., 1934, p. 24.
Flora Dan. tab. 1444.
Icelandic: Vallarsveifgras. Danish: Eng-Rapgræs. English: Bird grass, Smooth
Meadow-grass.
In Iceland, as elsewhere, Poa pratensis is a very variable species, consisting of a
series of subspecies without well-defined limits. Some of the specimens kept in H.H.
seem to be nearly allied to the Poa rigens section, but the characters are not quite
clearly defined. No authors who have previously dealt with the Icelandic Flora have
as yet succeeded in clearing up the pratensis-group there, but there would be good
reasons for making an attempt in this respect.
Common in all parts, in the lowland as well as the central parts.
Much valued as a very good fodder- and forage-plant.
Life-form: G. (Rhizome Geophyte).
In cultivated areas, home-fields; grassy slopes; on and below the bird-cliffs, etc.
Flor. VI—VII; fr. mat. VII—VIII.
Max. height: 63 cm ; average: 23 cm.
Geogr. area: (coll. sp.). Am.: Throughout N. Am.; in southern S. Am.—Greenl. :
W. 60°—78°18'. E. 60°—75°13'.—Eur. : Fær.; E.S.I.; throughout Eur. ; Spits-
bergen, Bear Island, Novaya Zemlya. Caucasus.—Asia: Northern Asia.—N. Afr.:
Morocco, Algeria.—Australia.
81. Poa trivialis Linn., Sp. pl. ed. I (1753) p. 67.
K. & M., 1770, p. 204.—Babington, 1871, p. 343.—Gronlund, Isl. Fl., 1881,
p. 130,—Stefánsson, Fl. ísl., ed. 1, 1901, p. 55.—Ibid., ed. 2, 1924, p. 62.—
O. & Gr., 1934, p. 24.
Flora Dan. tab. 1685.
Icelandic: Hásveifgras. Danish: Almindelig Rapgræs. English: Rough Meadow-
grass.
Rather common in most parts, except in the central highland, where it has
been found in a few places only: Hvannalindir (D. 14), A. & F., 1935, p. 410;
Laugarhraun (S.S., 1931).
Nearly all specimens kept in H.H., collected in the months of June, July and
August, have the anthers included, and the caryopses are in most cases poorly
developed.
Life-form: H.
On grass- and herb-slopes; around inhabited places; on bird-cliffs, in crevices in
the lava-fields, etc.
Flor. VII—VIII; fr. mat. (?).
ax. height: 80 cm ; average: 47 cm.
Geogr. area : N. Am. : (naturalized from Eur.) Quebec.—Greenl.: W. southern part
(introduced).—Eur.: Fær.; E.S.I.; northern and central Europe.—Asia : Siberia,
Japan.—Africa : Canary Islands.