Kentucky bluegrass
Family
PoaceaeScientific Name
Poa pratensis
Other Common Names:
alpine meadow grass
Habit
This mat-forming, erect perennial can grow up to 24 inches in height. It can be found flowering from April through October.
Leaves
The blade-like leaves grow from 1/3 to 6 inches in length, and 1 to 3mm in width. Each leaf has a curved tip and a smooth, loose sheath. The ligule is membranous, very short (0.2-1mm).
Identifying Characteristics
The time between the appearances of new leaves can range from 10 days in the spring, to 22 days in late summer. Each leaf remains green for 10 to 12 days.
Flower Seed Head
The flowers grow in spikelets with 2 to 6 flowers per spikelet.
Seed Fruit
The seeds develop in a greenish white panicle that it pyramidal in shape. Each small tan or brown seed is elliptical in shape with pointed ends.
Where Found
This plant prefers soil with poor drainage.
Leaf Hair on Upper Surface
no hairs
Mature Leaf Width
less than 5 mm
Stem
round
Seedhead
panicle
Life Cycle
perennial
Auricle
not present
Ligule
membrane
Ligule Length
less than 1 mm
Plant Type
Grass