POA

'''Poa''' is a genus of about 500 species of grasses, native to the temperate regions of both hemispheres. Common names include 'meadow-grass' (mainly Europe and Asia), 'bluegrass' (mainly North America), 'tussock' (some New Zealand species), and 'speargrass'.
One species, Smooth Meadow-grass ''Poa pratensis'', is the type species of the family Poaceae.

The genus ''Poa'' includes both annual and perennial species. Most are monoecious, but a few are dioecious (separate male and female plants). The leaves are narrow, folded or flat, sometimes bristled, and with the basal sheath flattened or sometimes thickened, with a blunt or hooded apex and membranaceous ligule.

Contents

Cultivation and uses

Butterfly and moth foodplant

References

Cultivation and uses

Many of the species are important pasture plants, used extensively by grazing livestock. Kentucky bluegrass (''Poa pratensis'') is the most extensively used cool-season grass used in lawns, sports fields, and golf courses in the United States.^[1] Annual bluegrass (''Poa annua'') can sometimes be considered a weed.^[2]

Butterfly and moth foodplant

Lepidoptera whose caterpillars feed on ''Poa'' include:

★ Hobomok Skipper, ''Poanes hobomok''

★ Zabulon Skipper, ''Poanes zabulon''

References

1. Oakmont-inspired Stimpmeter allows USGA to accurately measure speed, consistency of putting surfaces
2. Annual Bluegrass Management Guidelines--UC IPM