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Annual Meadow-grass

Poa annua

Please keep in mind that it is illegal to uproot a plant without the landowner's consent and care should be taken at all times not to damage wild plants. Wild plants should never be picked for pleasure and some plants are protected by law.
For more information please download the BSBI Code of Conduct PDF document.

Plant Profile
Similar Species
Other Information
Distribution Map

Flowering Months:

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

Order:

Poales

Family:

Poaceae (Grass)

Also in this family:

Alpine Catstail, Alpine Foxtail, Alpine Meadow-grass, Annual Beard-grass, Arrow Bamboo, Barren Brome Grass, Bearded Couch Grass, Bearded Fescue, Bermuda Grass, Black Bent, Black Grass, Blue Fescue, Blue Moor-grass, Bog Hair-grass, Borrer's Saltmarsh Grass, Bread Wheat, Bristle Bent, Brown Bent, Brown Sedge, Bulbous Foxtail, Bulbous Meadow-grass, California Brome Grass, Canary Grass, Carnation Sedge, Cocksfoot, Cockspur, Common Bent, Common Cord-grass, Common Millet, Common Reed, Common Saltmarsh Grass, Compact Brome Grass, Corn, Couch Grass, Creeping Bent, Creeping Soft-grass, Crested Dog's-tail, Crested Hair-grass, Cultivated Oat, Curved Hard Grass, Cut Grass, Dense Silky Bent, Downy Oat-grass, Drooping Brome Grass, Drooping Tor Grass, Dune Fescue, Early Hair-grass, Early Meadow-grass, Early Sand-grass, False Brome Grass, False Oat-grass, Fern Grass, Fine-leaved Sheep's Fescue, Flattened Meadow-grass, Floating Sweet-grass, Foxtail Barley, French Oat, Giant Fescue, Glaucous Meadow-grass, Great Brome Grass, Greater Quaking Grass, Grey Hair-grass, Hairy Brome Grass, Hairy Finger-grass, Hard Fescue, Hard Grass, Harestail Grass, Heath Grass, Holy Grass, Hybrid Marram Grass, Italian Rye Grass, Knotroot Bristlegrass, Lesser Hairy Brome Grass, Lesser Quaking Grass, Loose Silky Bent, Lyme Grass, Marram Grass, Marsh Foxtail, Mat Grass, Mat-grass Fescue, Meadow Barley, Meadow Fescue, Meadow Foxtail, Meadow Oat-grass, Mountain Melick, Narrow-leaved Meadow-grass, Narrow-leaved Small-reed, Neglected Couch Grass, Nit Grass, Orange Foxtail, Pampas Grass, Perennial Rye Grass, Plicate Sweet-grass, Purple Moor-grass, Purple Small-reed, Purple-stem Catstail, Quaking Grass, Ratstail Fescue, Red Fescue, Reed Canary Grass, Reed Sweet-grass, Reflexed Saltmarsh Grass, Rescue Grass, Rough Meadow-grass, Rush-leaved Fescue, Sand Catstail, Sand Couch Grass, Scandinavian Small-reed, Scottish Small-reed, Sea Barley, Sea Couch Grass, Sea Fern Grass, Sheep's Fescue, Silver Hair-grass, Six-rowed Barley, Slender Brome Grass, Small Cord-grass, Small Sweet-grass, Smaller Catstail, Smooth Brome Grass, Smooth Cord-grass, Smooth Finger-grass, Smooth Meadow-grass, Soft Brome Grass, Somerset Hair-grass, Sorghum, Spreading Meadow-grass, Squirreltail Fescue, Stiff Brome Grass, Stiff Saltmarsh Grass, Sweet Vernal Grass, Tall Fescue, Timothy Grass, Tor Grass, Tufted Hair-grass, Two-rowed Barley, Upright Brome Grass, Velvet Bent, Viviparous Fescue, Wall Barley, Wavy Hair-grass, Wavy Meadow-grass, Whorl Grass, Wild Oat, Wood Barley, Wood Fescue, Wood Meadow-grass, Wood Melick, Wood Millet, Yellow Oat-grass, Yorkshire Fog

Type:

Flower

Life Cycle:

Annual or Perennial

Maximum Size:

25 centimetres tall

Habitats:

Fields, gardens, grassland, lawns, meadows, parks, roadsides, rocky places, towns, wasteland.

Flower:

Green, no petals

Crowded green spikelets.

Fruit:

A seed-like caryopsis. Can be found in fruit the entire year round.

Leaves:

Pale green leaf blades, blunt-pointed ligule.

Other Names:

Annual Bluegrass, Poa.

Frequency (UK):

Abundant

Early Meadow-grass

Flattened Meadow-grass

Summary

Poa annua, also known as annual bluegrass, is a species of grass that is native to Europe and Asia. It is a winter annual grass that forms tufts or clumps of leaves. The leaves are narrow and have a blue-green color. The plant produces small, inconspicuous flowers in the spring and summer. Poa annua is a common weed in lawns, gardens, and cultivated fields. It is known for its ability to germinate in the fall and grow quickly, producing a dense mat of leaves that can outcompete desirable grasses. It is difficult to control once established, it can be controlled by applying selective herbicides, or by maintaining a healthy lawn with proper mowing, fertilization, and irrigation. It can be a problem in sports fields and golf courses, where it can make the playing surface uneven and slippery.

Blog

Annual Meadow-grass, also known as Poa annua, is a common weed found in many lawns, golf courses, and athletic fields. Despite being considered a weed by many, it has some unique characteristics that make it an important species in certain ecosystems.

Poa annua is an annual grass that typically grows between 2 and 8 inches tall, although it can grow taller under certain conditions. It has a fibrous root system and a delicate appearance with narrow leaves that are smooth on the upper surface and rough on the lower surface. The flowers of Poa annua are small and inconspicuous, with greenish-yellow spikelets that bloom from April to September.

One of the reasons Poa annua is considered a weed is because of its prolific seed production. Each plant can produce thousands of seeds, which can remain viable in the soil for several years. This allows Poa annua to quickly colonize areas where it is not wanted and outcompete other plants.

However, Poa annua also has some unique ecological benefits. It is an important source of food for many bird species, including finches, sparrows, and towhees. The seeds of Poa annua are also an important food source for small mammals like voles and mice. Additionally, the fibrous root system of Poa annua helps to stabilize soil and prevent erosion, making it an important species in certain habitats.

In addition to its ecological benefits, Poa annua has some practical uses as well. It is commonly used in turfgrass mixtures for golf courses and athletic fields because of its ability to quickly establish and provide a lush, green surface. Poa annua also has some medicinal properties and has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat a variety of ailments.

Despite its benefits, many people still consider Poa annua to be a nuisance weed that should be eradicated from lawns and gardens. There are several methods for controlling Poa annua, including hand pulling, mowing, and chemical treatments. However, it is important to note that Poa annua can be difficult to control because of its prolific seed production and ability to tolerate a wide range of growing conditions.

In addition to its benefits and drawbacks, Poa annua has also been the subject of scientific research in recent years. Researchers have been studying the genetic makeup of Poa annua to better understand its ability to adapt to different environments and resist herbicides.

One study published in the journal PLOS ONE found that Poa annua has a highly variable genome, which allows it to adapt to a wide range of environmental conditions. The researchers also identified several genes that are associated with herbicide resistance, which could have implications for managing weed populations in the future.

Another study published in the journal Plant Physiology found that Poa annua has a unique photosynthetic pathway that allows it to tolerate drought and heat stress better than other grass species. This adaptation may make Poa annua more resilient to climate change and more suitable for use in areas with hot, dry climates.

Despite its ecological and practical benefits, Poa annua remains a controversial species. Some golf courses and athletic fields have banned the use of Poa annua in turfgrass mixtures because of its tendency to form a bumpy surface and its susceptibility to disease. Others argue that Poa annua should be encouraged because of its ability to stabilize soil and provide important habitat for wildlife.

Ultimately, the decision to control or encourage the growth of Poa annua depends on the specific circumstances and goals of the landowner. It is important to consider the ecological, practical, and aesthetic benefits and drawbacks of this species before making any management decisions.

In addition to its benefits and drawbacks, Poa annua has also been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine. In traditional Chinese medicine, Poa annua is known as "bai ying" and is used to treat a variety of ailments such as coughing, fever, and inflammation.

Studies have also found that Poa annua contains compounds that may have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. For example, a study published in the journal Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Letters found that certain compounds extracted from Poa annua exhibited potent anti-inflammatory activity in vitro.

However, more research is needed to determine the safety and efficacy of Poa annua as a medicinal plant. It is important to consult a healthcare provider before using any herbal remedies, as they may interact with medications or have unwanted side effects.

In terms of cultivation, Poa annua is a cool-season grass that grows best in moderate temperatures between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. It prefers moist, well-drained soils and can tolerate some shade. However, it is also known to invade disturbed areas and can quickly become a dominant species in lawns and gardens.

If Poa annua is unwanted in a lawn or garden, there are several methods for controlling it. Hand pulling can be effective for small infestations, but larger infestations may require chemical treatments or mechanical removal. It is important to follow all safety precautions and label instructions when using herbicides to control Poa annua or any other weeds.

Poa annua is also an important food source for wildlife, particularly for birds such as finches and sparrows. The seeds of Poa annua are small and easily accessible, making them an important food source during the winter months when other food sources may be scarce.

In addition to its ecological and practical benefits, Poa annua is also commonly used in scientific research as a model organism for studying plant development and physiology. Because of its small size and rapid growth, Poa annua is a convenient species for genetic and molecular studies.

Furthermore, Poa annua is also used in sports turf management, particularly in golf courses. The grass is valued for its ability to produce a fine-textured, dense turf that can withstand heavy foot traffic and recover quickly from wear and tear.

Despite its practical and ecological benefits, Poa annua is considered a weed in many situations, particularly in lawns and gardens. Its ability to germinate and grow quickly can make it difficult to control and it can create an uneven surface in turfgrass.

In conclusion, Poa annua is a common and versatile plant species with a range of ecological, practical, and scientific benefits. While it can be a nuisance in some situations, it is an important part of many ecosystems and can be a valuable resource for wildlife, as well as for scientific and sports turf management purposes. As with any plant species, it is important to carefully consider the benefits and drawbacks before making any management decisions.

Facts about Annual Meadow-grass

Facts about Poa annua:

Poa annua is a grass species that is found throughout the world in a variety of habitats.
It is known by many common names, including annual bluegrass, lowgrass, and wintergrass.
It is a cool-season grass that grows best in moderate temperatures between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
Poa annua has a highly variable genome, which allows it to adapt to a wide range of environmental conditions.
The species is valued for its ability to stabilize soil, provide important habitat for wildlife, and produce a fine-textured, dense turf that can withstand heavy foot traffic.
Poa annua is also used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat coughing, fever, and inflammation.
The grass is an important food source for wildlife, particularly for birds such as finches and sparrows.
Poa annua can be a nuisance in lawns and gardens, as it can germinate and grow quickly and create an uneven surface in turfgrass.
There are several methods for controlling Poa annua, including hand pulling, chemical treatments, and mechanical removal.
Poa annua is a common model organism in scientific research because of its small size and rapid growth.

Summary:

Poa annua is a versatile grass species that has both ecological and practical benefits. While it is valued for its ability to stabilize soil, provide important habitat for wildlife, and produce a dense turf that can withstand heavy foot traffic, it can also be a nuisance in lawns and gardens. The species is adaptable to a wide range of environmental conditions, making it an important model organism in scientific research. Poa annua is also used in traditional Chinese medicine and is an important food source for wildlife, particularly for birds such as finches and sparrows.