Relatives

Poa nemoralis L. - wood bluegrass.

Systematic position.

Family Poaceae Barnhart, genus Poa L.

Morphology and biology.

Perennial, loose-tussock grass. Height reaches 25-80 (90) cm. Stem is smooth; upper node is located in the upper part. Leaf is 2-4 mm wide, flat, soft; usually leaf is longer than sheath. Lingula of leaf is 1 mm long (on typical plants). Inflorescence is a loose, elongated, pyramidal panicle with rough branches. Spikelet is 3-5 mm long, with pubescent axis. Lower floral glume has downiness on carina and along veins. Callus has several long, twisting hairs. It is cross-pollinated and wind-pollinated. Flowering and ripening occur in July-August. Plant undergoes seed and vegetative reproduction. Chromosomal number 2n=28, 42, about 50, 56.

Distribution.

Distributed throughout the European part of the former USSR, Caucasia, Western and Eastern Siberia (excluding northern regions, including the Arctic), the Far East, Middle Asia (southeastern part), Scandinavia, Atlantic and Middle Europe, the Mediterranean, Asia Minor, Iran, the Himalayas, Mongolia, Japan, China, and North America.

Ecology.

Occurs in forests, among shrubs, and in forest meadows up to the middle mountain zone.

Economic value.

Forage.

Reference citations:

Cherepanov S.K. 1995. Plantae Vasculares Rossicae et Civitatum Collimitanearum (in limics USSR olim) [List of Vascular Plants of Russia]. St. Petersburg: Mir I Semia. 990 pp. (In Russian)
Malyshev L.I., Peshkova G.A., eds. 1990. Flora of Siberia. Vol. 2. Novosibirsk: Nauka, 361 pp. (in Russian).
Tzvelev N.N. 1976. Poaceae USSR. L.: Nauka, 788 pp. (in Russian).

© V.G. Funtova

Photo © K.A. Funtov (specimens from the V.L. Komarov Botanical Institute herbarium)
 

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