| Poa pratensis | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Poaceae |
| Subfamily: | Pooideae |
| Genus: | Poa |
| Species: | P. pratensis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Poa pratensis | |
Poa pratensis, commonly known as Kentucky bluegrass (or blue grass), smooth meadow-grass, or common meadow-grass, is a perennial species of grass native to practically all of Europe, North Asia and the mountains of Algeria and Morocco. There is disagreement about its native status in North America, with some sources considering it native[1][2][3] and others stating the Spanish Empire brought the seeds of Kentucky bluegrass to the New World in mixtures with other grasses.[4] It is a common and incredibly popular lawn grass in North America with the species being spread over all of the cool, humid parts of the United States. In its native range, Poa pratensis forms a valuable pasture plant, characteristic of well-drained, fertile soil. It is also used for making lawns in parks and gardens and has established itself as a common invasive weed across cool moist temperate climates like the Pacific Northwest and the Northeastern United States. When found on native grasslands in Canada, for example, it is considered an unwelcome exotic plant, and is indicative of a disturbed and degraded landscape.[5][6]
- ^ Gleason, Henry A. (Henry Allan) (1991). Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. Internet Archive. The Bronx, N.Y.: New York Botanical Garden. ISBN 978-0-89327-365-1.
- ^ "Poa Pratensis". University of Texas Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
- ^ "Element Stewardship Abstract for Poa pratensis, Poa compressa Kentucky Bluegrass, Canada Bluegrass" (PDF). www.invasives.org. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
- ^ Martin Anderson, Texas AgriLife Extension Service. "Kentucky Bluegrass". Aggie Horticulture.
- ^ Ksenija Vujnovic; Ross W. Wein (September 1997). "An Inventory of Remnant Prairie Grasslands Within the Central Parkland Natural Sub-Region of Alberta" (PDF). p. 5.
- ^ "There Are More Than a Dozen Types of Grass — Here's How to Know Which One You Have". Popular Mechanics. 2022-03-15. Retrieved 2023-08-31.