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Wavy Meadow-grass

Poa flexuosa

Please keep in mind that it is illegal to uproot a plant without the landowner's consent and care should be taken at all times not to damage wild plants. Wild plants should never be picked for pleasure and some plants are protected by law.
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Contents

Plant Profile

Order:
Poales
Family:
Poaceae (Grass)
Also in this family:
Alpine Catstail, Alpine Foxtail, Alpine Meadow-grass, Annual Beard-grass, Annual Meadow-grass, Arrow Bamboo, Barren Brome Grass, Bearded Couch Grass, Bearded Fescue, Bermuda Grass, Black Bent, Black Grass, Blue Fescue, Blue Moor-grass, Bog Hair-grass, Borrer's Saltmarsh Grass, Bread Wheat, Bristle Bent, Brown Bent, Brown Sedge, Bulbous Foxtail, Bulbous Meadow-grass, California Brome Grass, Canary Grass, Carnation Sedge, Cocksfoot, Cockspur, Common Bent, Common Cord-grass, Common Millet, Common Reed, Common Saltmarsh Grass, Compact Brome Grass, Corn, Couch Grass, Creeping Bent, Creeping Soft-grass, Crested Dog's-tail, Crested Hair-grass, Cultivated Oat, Curved Hard Grass, Cut Grass, Dense Silky Bent, Downy Oat-grass, Drooping Brome Grass, Drooping Tor Grass, Dune Fescue, Early Hair-grass, Early Meadow-grass, Early Sand-grass, False Brome Grass, False Oat-grass, Fern Grass, Fine-leaved Sheep's Fescue, Flattened Meadow-grass, Floating Sweet-grass, Foxtail Barley, French Oat, Giant Fescue, Glaucous Meadow-grass, Great Brome Grass, Greater Quaking Grass, Grey Hair-grass, Hairy Brome Grass, Hairy Finger-grass, Hard Fescue, Hard Grass, Harestail Grass, Heath Grass, Holy Grass, Hybrid Marram Grass, Italian Rye Grass, Knotroot Bristlegrass, Lesser Hairy Brome Grass, Lesser Quaking Grass, Loose Silky Bent, Lyme Grass, Marram Grass, Marsh Foxtail, Mat Grass, Mat-grass Fescue, Meadow Barley, Meadow Fescue, Meadow Foxtail, Meadow Oat-grass, Mountain Melick, Narrow-leaved Meadow-grass, Narrow-leaved Small-reed, Neglected Couch Grass, Nit Grass, Orange Foxtail, Pampas Grass, Perennial Rye Grass, Plicate Sweet-grass, Purple Moor-grass, Purple Small-reed, Purple-stem Catstail, Quaking Grass, Ratstail Fescue, Red Fescue, Reed Canary Grass, Reed Sweet-grass, Reflexed Saltmarsh Grass, Rescue Grass, Rough Meadow-grass, Rush-leaved Fescue, Sand Catstail, Sand Couch Grass, Scandinavian Small-reed, Scottish Small-reed, Sea Barley, Sea Couch Grass, Sea Fern Grass, Sheep's Fescue, Silver Hair-grass, Six-rowed Barley, Slender Brome Grass, Small Cord-grass, Small Sweet-grass, Smaller Catstail, Smooth Brome Grass, Smooth Cord-grass, Smooth Finger-grass, Smooth Meadow-grass, Soft Brome Grass, Somerset Hair-grass, Sorghum, Spreading Meadow-grass, Squirreltail Fescue, Stiff Brome Grass, Stiff Saltmarsh Grass, Sweet Vernal Grass, Tall Fescue, Timothy Grass, Tor Grass, Tufted Hair-grass, Two-rowed Barley, Upright Brome Grass, Velvet Bent, Viviparous Fescue, Wall Barley, Wavy Hair-grass, Whorl Grass, Wild Oat, Wood Barley, Wood Fescue, Wood Meadow-grass, Wood Melick, Wood Millet, Yellow Oat-grass, Yorkshire Fog
Type:
Flower
Life Cycle:
Perennial
Maximum Size:
60 centimetres tall
Habitats:
Grassland, meadows, mountains, rocky places.

Flower:
֍
Purple, no petals
 
Flowers are usually purple. The spikelets have 2 or 3 flowers each. The spikelets appear on slightly wavy stalks.
Fruit:
The fruit is a caryopsis (a type of dry one-seeded fruit).
Leaves:
Narrow and linear leaves. Narrower leaves than those of the similar Alpine Meadow-grass (Poa alpina) and Glaucous Meadow-grass (Poa glauca). Short, blunt ligules.
Other Names:
Wavy Bluegrass.
Frequency (UK):
Rarely seen  

Similar Species

Alpine Meadow-grass

Glaucous Meadow-grass

Other Information

Summary

Poa flexuosa, also known as wavy bluegrass, is a species of grass that is native to North America. It is a perennial grass that forms tufts or clumps of leaves. The leaves are narrow, blue-green in color, and have a wavy or undulating margin. The plant produces small, inconspicuous flowers in the spring. Poa flexuosa is well-suited for use in meadows, prairies and other naturalized areas. It can also be used as a ground cover in landscaping, and is a good choice for use in areas with poor soil conditions. It is drought and heat tolerant, and is often used in restoring native grassland habitats.

Blog

Wavy Meadow-grass (Poa flexuosa) is a beautiful and versatile grass species that is native to Europe and parts of Asia. This grass species is commonly found in meadows, fields, and open woodlands, and is known for its attractive wavy leaves and delicate flowers.

Description and Characteristics

Wavy Meadow-grass is a perennial grass species that typically grows up to 60 cm tall, with leaves that are usually about 5-10 cm long and 1-2 mm wide. The leaves are bright green in color and have a distinctive wavy appearance, which is where the plant gets its common name. The flowers are arranged in dense, open panicles that can be up to 20 cm long and contain numerous spikelets.

Habitat and Distribution

Wavy Meadow-grass is a widespread grass species that is found throughout Europe and parts of Asia. It is commonly found in meadows, fields, and open woodlands, and is particularly common in damp or wet habitats. It is often used as a forage crop for grazing animals, as it is highly palatable and nutritious.

Ecological Importance

Wavy Meadow-grass plays an important role in the ecology of grassland ecosystems. It is a valuable source of food for many herbivorous animals, including cattle, sheep, and deer. The plant is also known to provide habitat for a variety of insect species, including grasshoppers, butterflies, and moths.

Cultural Significance

In many cultures, Wavy Meadow-grass has been used for a variety of purposes. In some areas, the plant has been used as a traditional medicine for treating a range of ailments, including digestive problems and respiratory issues. In addition, the grass has been used for centuries in the production of woven baskets, hats, and other household items.

Growing Wavy Meadow-grass

Wavy Meadow-grass is a hardy and adaptable grass species that is relatively easy to grow. It prefers moist, well-drained soils, but can tolerate a range of soil types and growing conditions. The plant can be propagated by seed or by dividing established clumps, and should be planted in the spring or fall. It is important to keep the soil moist during the establishment period, and to avoid mowing the grass until it is well-established.

Wavy Meadow-grass is a beautiful and versatile grass species that has a range of ecological, cultural, and practical uses. Whether you are looking to establish a new meadow or pasture, or simply want to add some attractive foliage to your garden, Wavy Meadow-grass is a great choice that is sure to please.

More Information

Wavy Meadow-grass (Poa flexuosa) is a fascinating grass species that offers a range of benefits to the environment, wildlife, and people. Here are some additional facts about this interesting plant:

  • The Latin name Poa flexuosa translates to "bent or winding grass," which refers to the plant's characteristic wavy leaves.
  • Wavy Meadow-grass is a cool-season grass, which means that it grows most actively in the spring and fall, and goes dormant during the hot summer months.
  • The plant is a good choice for erosion control, as its deep roots help to stabilize the soil and prevent erosion.
  • Wavy Meadow-grass is a popular choice for golf course fairways and roughs, as it is highly resistant to foot traffic and can withstand a range of growing conditions.
  • In addition to its use as a forage crop and ornamental plant, Wavy Meadow-grass is also used in the production of hay and silage, which are important sources of feed for livestock.
  • The plant is known to have some medicinal properties, and has been used to treat a range of conditions, including arthritis, fever, and coughs.
  • Wavy Meadow-grass is an important component of many grassland ecosystems, and is often used in restoration projects to help restore damaged or degraded habitats.

Overall, Wavy Meadow-grass is a valuable and fascinating grass species that offers a range of benefits to both people and the environment. Whether you are a farmer, gardener, or conservationist, this versatile plant is a great choice that is sure to make a positive impact.

Even More Facts about Wavy Meadow-grass

Wavy Meadow-grass (Poa flexuosa) is a highly adaptable plant that can tolerate a range of growing conditions. Here are some additional facts about this remarkable grass species:

  • Wavy Meadow-grass is one of the earliest grasses to emerge in the spring, and is an important source of forage for grazing animals during the early growing season.
  • The plant's dense root system makes it highly effective at absorbing and retaining nutrients, which can help to improve soil quality and reduce nutrient runoff.
  • Wavy Meadow-grass is a low-maintenance plant that requires minimal watering and fertilization once established, making it a great choice for sustainable landscaping and gardening.
  • The plant is highly resistant to disease and pests, which means that it requires fewer pesticides and herbicides than other crops and ornamental plants.
  • Wavy Meadow-grass is a valuable component of many grassland restoration projects, as it can help to reestablish native plant communities and provide important habitat for wildlife.
  • The plant's attractive foliage and delicate flowers make it a popular choice for ornamental gardens and landscaping, and it can be used in a range of settings, from meadows and fields to lawns and golf courses.
  • Wavy Meadow-grass has been used in traditional medicine for centuries, and is known to have a range of therapeutic properties, including anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.

Overall, Wavy Meadow-grass is a highly versatile and valuable grass species that offers a range of benefits to the environment, wildlife, and people. Whether you are looking to restore a degraded habitat, improve your soil quality, or simply add some attractive foliage to your garden, this remarkable plant is a great choice that is sure to deliver.

Distribution Map

Reproduced by kind permission of the BSBI.

Click to open an Interactive Map