Kentucky blue grass, Smooth-stalked meadow grass
Poa pratensis
Family: Poaceae
What it is like
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.
There are about 300-500 Poa species. They grow in temperate regions.
Where it is found
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.
Countries/locations it is found in
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 it is used for food
The young shoots are eaten raw. They are chewed for the sweet sap.
They are eaten especially by children.
Edible parts
Seeds, cereal
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Travka