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Poa annua - L.

Common Name Annual Meadow Grass, Annual bluegrass, Low Spear Grass, Meadow Grass, Six Week Grass, Annual Blue
Family Poaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Waste places, cultivated land, grassland etc[17].
Range Cosmopolitan, throughout the whole world, including Britain, but only on mountains in the tropics.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full sun
Poa annua Annual Meadow Grass, Annual bluegrass, Low Spear Grass, Meadow Grass, Six Week Grass, Annual Blue


http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gebruiker:Roepers
Poa annua Annual Meadow Grass, Annual bluegrass, Low Spear Grass, Meadow Grass, Six Week Grass, Annual Blue
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Fabelfroh

 

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Summary

Form: Spreading or horizontal, Upright or erect.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Poa annua is a ANNUAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from February to November, and the seeds ripen from April to November. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind, Cleistogomy (self-pollinating without flowers ever opening). The plant is self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

 Lawn; Meadow;

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

A very easily grown plant, it succeeds in any well-drained moderately fertile soil in a sunny position[1]. Tolerates very acid soils[1]. This plant is a very common garden weed and will not usually require cultivation. An important food plant for the caterpillars of many species of butterfly[30]. It is often found growing in close cut lawns[1]. The seed drops very readily from the plant so it is difficult to harvest[1]. This also means that the seed is spread very easily, making the plant even more difficult to eradicate[K]. Special Features:North American native.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

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Plant Propagation

Seed - there should be no problem with having to sow this plant since it does the job very effectively without our help.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

EUROPE: Russian Federation (Saratov, Volgogradskaja oblast)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it's worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

IUCN Red List

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Arundinaria sppRunning BambooBamboo10.0 4-10 FLMHFSNM314
Arundinella hookeri Perennial6.0 6-9  LMHNM001
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Avena ludovicianaOatsAnnual0.0 -  LMHNDM202
Avena nudaNaked OatAnnual0.9 -  LMHNDM402
Avena nudibrevis Annual0.0 -  LMHNDM202
Avena orientalisHungarian OatAnnual0.0 -  LMHNDM312
Avena sativaOats, Common oatAnnual0.9 3-10  LMHNDM334
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Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

17

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

   Wed Nov 8 2006

would this be a poor choice of grass to add to an existing lawn as an overseeding?

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Subject : Poa annua  
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