'These are rather an adverbial use of the genitive, like always, now-a-days, needs, whiles, etc.'—Smythe-Palmer.
(4) Plant-names are almost invariably used in the plural, even where only a single blossom is referred to, as 'What is that flower in your hand, Polly?' 'That's Robins, ma'am' (or Cuckoos, Poppies, Nightcaps, &c., as the case may be).—N. & S.W.
Poach. (1) Of cattle, to trample soft ground into slush and holes.—N. & S.W. (2) Of ground, to become swampy from much trampling (Wild Life, ch. xx).—N. & S.W.
*Podge. Anything very thick and sticky. Cf. Stodge.
*Pog. *(1) To thrust with the foot.—N.W. (Malmesbury.) *(2) To set beans.—N.W. (Malmesbury.)
Poison-berry. (1) Fruit of Arum maculatum, L., Cuckoo-pint.—N.W. (2) Fruit of Tamus communis, L., Black Bryony.—N.W.
Poison-root. Arum maculatum, L., Cuckoo-pint.—N.W.
Pole-ring. The ring which fastens the scythe-blade to the snead (A.).—N.W.
Polly. A pollard tree.—S.W. A Wiltshire man, on being told by the hospital surgeon that his arms would have to be amputated, exclaimed, 'Be I to be shrowded like a owld polly?'
Polt, Powlt. A blow (B.). A blow with a stick (A.). In Glouc. apples, walnuts, &c., are beaten down with a 'polting-lug,' or long pole.—N.W.