Poa pratensis L.

Kentucky Bluegrass

© DETenaglia

Family - Poaceae/Poeae

Stems - No info. yet.

Leaves - No info. yet.

	Arrow shows boat-shaped leaf tip.
© DETenaglia

	Ligule.
© DETenaglia

Inflorescence - No info. yet.

	Portion of inflorescence.
© DETenaglia

Flowers - No info. yet.

Flowering - April - July.

Habitat - Fields, meadows, lawns, glades, open woods, river banks, waste ground.

Origin - Native (?) to U.S. and Europe.

Other info. - This common species can be found throughout Missouri. This is the common lawn grass of much of the northern United States. It is also a popular pasture grass. Many varieties and strains of this species have been developed for cultivation.
Steyermark noted that this species and another, Dactylis glomerata L., are responsible for the majority of hay fever attacks in the summer.
Plants of the genus Poa have "boat-shaped" leaf tips. The apical edges of the leaves converge and unite at the apex to form a leaf with the appearance of a boat's hull. This can be a good character to look for when trying to identify grasses in the field.

Photographs taken somewhere in North Carolina, 4-27-03.