GrassWildAnnual

Poa annua L.

Annual meadow grass

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Description

Poa annua is a small annual or short-lived perennial grass, usually 5–40 cm tall, forming soft tufts. Culms are slender, erect to ascending, smooth, and often flattened near the base. Leaves are bright green, soft, and narrow, usually 2–15 cm long and 1–5 mm wide. Leaf blades are flat, boat-shaped at the tips, and slightly rough. Leaf sheaths are smooth, and the ligule is membranous and relatively long. The inflorescence is a loose open panicle, usually 2–10 cm long, with spreading branches. Spikelets are small, laterally compressed, and contain several florets. Lemmas often have fine hairs. The fruit is a small caryopsis.

Distribution

Native range: Originally from Europe, North Africa, Western Asia.

In Pakistan: Now widespread in Pakistan, India, Temperate regions worldwide.

Phenology

Flowering

Fruiting

Flowering: Almost throughout the year in favourable climates

Ethnobotany & Uses

Ecological Importance

Provides Ground cover, Food source for birds.

Agricultural Importance

Can become a weed in Turf grass, Cropland.

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Where it grows on campus

This species is on the campus floristic list but was not pinned during the GPS mapping survey, so it has no map records yet.

Taxonomic Notes

Poa belongs to tribe Poeae.