Annual Meadow-grass - Poa annua
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Description
5 to 30 cm tall tufted or creeping, sprawling habit. Panicles 1 to 8 cm long, pyramidal in shape with 1 to 4 spreading branches at each node, the lower branches later often bet down. Spikelets pale green sometimes, pink or purple flushed. This low grass can grow from germination to seed production in six weeks!
Identification difficulty
ID checklist (your specimen should have all of these features)
The panicle is clearly branched, but only one or two branches at the lowest whorl. Spikelets contain two or more florets without awns. Lemmas easily seen extending beyond glume tips.
When to see it
UK Status
Abundant throughout Britain, and one of the world's most successful plants.
VC55 Status
Abundant in Leicestershire and Rutland. In the Flora survey of Leicestershire it was found in of the tetrads.
Graham Calow
All Saints Chuch, Sapcote
21 AprilGraham Calow
All Saints Chuch, Sapcote
21 AprilDavid Nicholls
Ratby Church
08 MarchBarbara Cooper
Long Clawson
24 MayDavid Nicholls
Thornton Reservoir
30 September
Poa annua - Annual meadow grass
How to recognise annual meadow grass
Annual meadow grass is usually easy to identify. The youngest leaf will appear in a folded shape. There are no auricles at the base of the leaf, and the underside of the unribbed leaf is matte and often pale green in colour. This colour difference is often clearly visible in a field. Furthermore, Poa annua has a long and milky-white ligule. In a field, annual meadow grass can easily be identified by its abundant seed formation. After all, it flowers year-round. The leaves are unribbed, which means that they are soft and wavy.
Low wear tolerance
The wear tolerance of annual meadow grass is moderate to low, partly for reason of its shallow roots. This means that the grass is easily kicked or hit away, which may result in many bare spots that will significantly reduce the quality of play on a sports field or golf course. In addition, annual meadow grass has an unattractive appearance.
Appearance of annual meadow grass
The appearance of annual meadow grass is unattractive. Poor nutrition will change its mid-green colour to a lighter green. The colour will change in dry conditions and when th
Sarah The Lawn Chick
As most homeowners and gardeners know, letting a weed problem get out of control is one of the best ways to end up with an ugly lawn. And that means that controlling weed growth is one of the most essential things to do if you want the loveliest lawn on the block. Today, I&#;m going to talk about a weed called Poa Annua, also called Annual Meadow Grass but in America it&#;s often referred to as Annual Bluegrass or simply Poa. I&#;ll share some photos that will help you identify Poa Annua in your lawn, and give you my tips to kill it in your lawn.
If you have poa annua on your lawn, it’s time to take steps to eliminate it and restore the beauty of your property.
I&#;ve got a big, in-depth article for you that covers everything you need to know about the poa annua weed, so lets get started.
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What is Poa Annua Weed?
You may hear some people refer to poa annua as “annual bluegrass,&#; &#;annual meadow grass&#; or simply &#;poa.&#; They&#;re all talking about Poa Annua &#; a grassy weed that germinates between the late p
Poa annua
Species of plant
Poa annua, or annual meadow grass (known in America more commonly as annual bluegrass or simply poa), is a widespread low-growing turfgrass in temperate climates. Notwithstanding the reference to annual plant in its name, perennial bio-types do exist.[2] This grass originated as a hybrid between Poa supina and Poa infirma.[3] Major chromosomal rearrangements after polyploidy have contributed to variation in genome size in Poa annua.[4]
Description
[edit]It has a slightly creeping, fibrous, rootstock. The stem grows from 15–25&#;cm ( in.) high. It is slightly flattened, due to being folded rather than rolled.
The panicle is open and triangular shaped, 5 to &#;cm (2 to 3 in.) long. The spikelets are stalked, awnless, 1 to 2&#;cm (3/8 to 3/4 in.) long when flowering, and loosely arranged on delicate paired or spreading branches. Sometimes they are tinged purple.
The vivid green leaves are short and blunt at the tips, shaped like the prow of a small canoe. They are soft and drooping. Long sheaths clasp the stem. The leaves are smooth above and below, with finely serrated edges. Occasionally th
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