Meadow-grasses
What are they?
The meadow-grasses in the genus Poa that occur in the Cape May area are almost all alien introductions from Europe and were brought over as utility grasses, for animal feed and lawns.
Where are they found?
These are largely species of open habitats, where one or two species generally form the bulk of vegetation. Some species are popular as lawn grasses, from where they spread into neighboring areas.
Identification
Most species are typified by their rather open flowerheads, the small florets borne at the end of relatively long side arms. Details of the flower stalk and the structure of the flower head can all be useful when attempting to identify these species.
Bulbous Meadow-grass Poa bulbosa
(Bulbous Bluegrass) Naturalized from Europe. No published records for Cape May County but may be found in several places around West Cape May and Lower Township at least. Occurs on roadsides and in lawns. Flowers April to June. A strange (though not unique) grass, as the 'flower' spikes produce not seeds but fully-formed young plantlets which are capable of dropping off and rooting into the soil, thus reproducing the plant vegetatively. A small, thin-stemmed plant that is easily missed unless growing in quantity.
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Annual Meadow-grass Poa annua
(Annual Bluegrass) Naturalized from Europe. A widespread and abundant species, common in lawns, as an arable weed and commonly as a pavement weed. Flowers April to July, though odd plants may be found under the right growing conditions flowering almost every month of the year. A tiny grass, commonly found growing prostrate to the ground in areas of high foot traffic. Plants may be pale and yellowish, or with purple-tinged flower spikes.
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Smooth Meadow-grass Poa pratensis
(Kentucky Bluegrass). Naturalized from Europe. A widespread and abundant species, common in lawns, as an arable weed and in all types of grassy places, especially roadsides. Flowers May to July. A very variable grass with a number of distinct forms. Most conspicuous in May when its pale purple flower heads create great swathes of color along uncut roadsides.
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Rough Meadow-grass Poa trivialis
(Rough Bluegrass) Naturalized from Europe. Occasional in all types of grassy habitats, especially roadsides and abandoned fields. Flowers May to July. Lower stems are smooth, becoming rough just below the flower head.
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Flattened Meadow-grass Poa compressa
(Canada Bluegrass) Naturalized from Europe. A fairly common plant of rough, usually dry, ground. Flowers April to August. The tough, wiry stems are flattened in one plain, making them narrowly elliptic in one plane.
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