Poa pratensis

What to Eat

Edible parts: Seeds, Cereal

One source suggests this plant may be edible but provides no specific details. It most likely refers to the seed, which is small and very fiddly to use, though it could alternatively refer to the base of the leaf stems — a part eaten in at least one other species within this genus.

Where to Find It

It is a temperate plant. In Pakistan it grows between 1,500-4,700 m altitude. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 3,800 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 3-6.

Afghanistan, Africa, Arctic, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Balkans, Belarus, Bhutan, Brazil, Britain, Central Asia, Chile, China, Europe, Falklands, Haiti, Himalayas, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Guinea, New Zealand, Norfolk Island, North Africa, North America, Pacific, Pakistan, Puerto Rico, Russia, SE Asia, South Africa, South America, Southern Africa, Sri Lanka, St Helena, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Tibet, Turkmenistan, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, West Indies,

How to Identify

A grass which keeps growing from year to year. It has creeping underground stems or rhizomes. The stem is erect. It grows 10-90 cm high. The leaves are flat and pliable. The flower panicle is oval shape. It is 2-20 cm long. The spikelets are oval and 4-6 mm long. There are 2-5 flowers.

How to Grow

Succeeds in any well-drained moderately fertile soil in a sunny position. A polymorphic species. It can be grown in lawns.

Propagation: Surface sow seed in spring in a cold frame, keeping the compost consistently moist. Prick seedlings into individual pots once large enough to handle, and grow them on in the greenhouse through their first winter. Plant out into permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in spring is also straightforward — larger divisions can go directly into permanent positions. Smaller divisions are better potted up and grown on in light shade in a cold frame until well established, then planted out in late spring or early summer.

Medicinal Uses

None known.

Other Uses

None known.

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, Morocco, and Tunisia. There is disagreement about its native status in North America, with some sources considering it native and others stating the Spanish Empire brought the seeds of Kentucky bluegrass to the New World in mixtures with other grasses. 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.

Other Information

They are eaten especially by children.

Notes

There are about 300-500 Poa species. They grow in temperate regions.

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