This is an archived copy of this article, recovered after a server failure in January 2022.

Some links may be broken, and editing is disabled. We are working to bring back full functionality.

Poa pratensis
  • Kentucky Blue Grass

a perennial member of the Poa genus in the family Gramineae.

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • no shade
    No shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 3
    Zone 3
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Poa pratensis has 0 edible uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

One report suggests that it might be edible but gives no details[1]. It is quite probably referring to the seed (which is small and very fiddly too utilize) but might be referring to the base of the leaf stems, which is eaten in one other member of this genus.

Seed

Unknown use

Material uses

There are no material uses listed for Poa pratensis.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

There are no medicinal uses listed for Poa pratensis.

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - surface sow in the spring in a cold frame. Do not allow the compost to dry out. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in the spring. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Poa pratensis. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Succeeds in any well-drained moderately fertile soil in a sunny position[2].

A polymorphic species[3].

It can be grown in lawns[4].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Poa pratensis. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Poa pratensis.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Poa pratensis
Genus
Poa
Family
Gramineae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1]
Medicinal uses
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
[3][2]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
3
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    1 x meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Wind
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

    "image:Poa pratensis.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Poa pratensis.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Poa pratensis.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Poa pratensis.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Poa pratensis.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Poa pratensis.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Poa pratensis.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Poa pratensis.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Poa pratensis.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Poa pratensis.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Poa pratensis.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Poa pratensis.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Poa pratensis.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Poa pratensis.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Poa pratensis.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.1 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.1 Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)
    4. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)

    "image:Poa pratensis.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Poa_pratensis&oldid=79512"
    Facts about "Poa pratensis"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyGramineae +
    Belongs to genusPoa +
    Has binomial namePoa pratensis +
    Has common nameKentucky Blue Grass +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partSeed +
    Has edible useUnknown use +
    Has fertility typeWind +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone3 +
    Has imagePoa pratensis.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has mature height1 +
    Has primary imagePoa pratensis.jpg +
    Has search namepoa pratensis + and kentucky blue grass +
    Has shade toleranceNo shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy namePoa pratensis +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedYes +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedYes +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedYes +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Poa pratensis +