Yet another Grass ufff!

Post by **MWP admin** » Thu May 24, 2007 4:28 pm

The grasses are full of trouble. Haslam keys are too much technical (and possibly uncorrect) or you need measurments or a microscope! I am posting this spp perhaps one have encountered it and can know on the sight what it is. (Or a suggestion to the Genus)

My guesses are some Poa or a laxed Festuca form.

Thanks

Edwin Lanfranco · Post by **Edwin Lanfranco** » Sat May 26, 2007 6:57 pm

Looks like Poa annua to me

Post by **MWP admin** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 8:30 am

It looks like poa annua, but after reading info on the Poa species (from Haslam) I should have mentioned these features:

1) plant was much more from 30cm, 60cm I would say.
2) plant growing in a damp habitat.

For this reason, I made my mind on Poa trivialis, the only one from the 4 Poas with a height of 30-100cm

What do you think?

jackpot · Post by **jackpot** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 10:11 am

certainly you are right (up to 30cm) but plants may vary and there are some few records from giant ones, especially in damp areas.
This info doesn`t mean that your plant could be another Poa sp.

Post by **MWP admin** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 11:15 am

Is Festuca out of question ? (though it looks more Poaish!)

( I think I need to relocate the plant and get a sample for the forum.)

Edwin Lanfranco · Post by **Edwin Lanfranco** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 11:30 am

I have examined the photos more closely and notice that some of the florets have a short awn (not present in Poa). If the plant is rather large (Poa annua is a small annual) and spikelets are about 1 cm (less than 5mm in Poa) than it most probably Schedonorus arundinaceus (= Lolium arundinaceum; formerly Festuca arundinacea).

Post by **MWP admin** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 11:44 am

Thanks Edwin (and JP). This is what I really like in such forums, fast, challenging learning with element of fun. It might be the start of revolutionary e-classes for the next few decades

Now I can easily distinguish the Poas from (ex-)festucas.