BULBOUS MEADOW-GRASS 1872 John Edward Sowerby PLANT PRINT

Original 1872 6 1/2 inch x 9 7/8 inch coloured print titled POA BULBOSA. BULBOUS MEADOW-GRASS.

Poa bulbosa is a species of grass known by the common names bulbous bluegrass or bulbous meadow-grass. It is native to Eurasia and North Africa, but it is present practically worldwide as an introduced species. It is widespread in the United States and southern Canada. It was introduced to the eastern United States around 1906 and the western US in 1915 as a contaminant in shipments of alfalfa seed. It was intentionally planted on both the east and west coasts to control weeds and prevent erosion. Today it is a common grass across the continent and is a noxious weed in some areas. It is a sturdy, hardy, persistent, aggressive grass that easily outcompetes many other plants and becomes the dominant species in disturbed habitat types, such as overgrazed fields.

Drawn by John Edward Sowerby (1825 - 1870). A British botanical illustrator and publisher born in Lambeth, London.

From a disbound copy of English Botany; or, Coloured Figures of British Plants edited by John T. Boswell Syme

Third Edition Published in London in 1872 by by Robert Hardwicke, 192 Piccadilly.

The print is in very good condition. Reverse side blank.