rough meadow-grass
Scientific name: Poa trivialis
Family: Poaceae
Other common names;
Flowering time: May to July
Height: to 60cm
Growing conditions: damp, fertile soils
Nectar source for:
Food source for:
Description
Once established in mixed grassland it grows out down at the base of the sward, creeping to colonise any gaps. It persists as an under-storey plant able to tolerate shading from taller grasses and herbs, and only rarely, if ever, becomes dominant.
How to identify: It can be quite variable in form and appearance depending on the circumstances in which it is growing. Whilst young it grows as loose tufts. With a good supply of moisture it grows luxuriantly and spreads out with numerous slender creeping stolons. In dry conditions it remains short and tufted and the plants acquire a reddish purple tinge. Its flat or folded leaves are generally low to the ground often mixed at the base of other grasses. Its flowering stems are slightly rough to touch with branched heads; these are green and closed in moist conditions, open and tinged red in dry conditions.
How to propagate: Rough-stalked meadow-grass can be sown at any time of year when conditions are suitable. It is capable of rapid germination and quick establishment over a wide range of soil temperatures. In good soil it can be quite competitive during establishment, potentially smothering weeds and slower growing wild flower seedlings. For this reason it is not included as a component in most wild flower seed mixtures.
Family: Poaceae
Other common names;
Flowering time: May to July
Height: to 60cm
Growing conditions: damp, fertile soils
Nectar source for:
Food source for:
Description
Once established in mixed grassland it grows out down at the base of the sward, creeping to colonise any gaps. It persists as an under-storey plant able to tolerate shading from taller grasses and herbs, and only rarely, if ever, becomes dominant.
How to identify: It can be quite variable in form and appearance depending on the circumstances in which it is growing. Whilst young it grows as loose tufts. With a good supply of moisture it grows luxuriantly and spreads out with numerous slender creeping stolons. In dry conditions it remains short and tufted and the plants acquire a reddish purple tinge. Its flat or folded leaves are generally low to the ground often mixed at the base of other grasses. Its flowering stems are slightly rough to touch with branched heads; these are green and closed in moist conditions, open and tinged red in dry conditions.
How to propagate: Rough-stalked meadow-grass can be sown at any time of year when conditions are suitable. It is capable of rapid germination and quick establishment over a wide range of soil temperatures. In good soil it can be quite competitive during establishment, potentially smothering weeds and slower growing wild flower seedlings. For this reason it is not included as a component in most wild flower seed mixtures.