Kentucky Bluegrass

Poa pratensis

Weed Description
A cool-season turfgrass commonly used on athletic fields and lawns for its desired appearance and stress tolerance.

Leaves
Folded in the bud, boat-shaped tip, blunt membranous ligule measuring 1-2mm in length.

Stems
Erect, round to slightly flattened stems that curve upward from the base.

Sheaths
Flattened; not hairy.

Flowers
Seedheads are open panicle measuring 3-15cm in lenght with flattened spikelets that are whorled in groups of 3-5.

Roots
Frbrous root system from a creeping rhizome, these rhizomes are produced from nodes of older tillering rhizomes.

Identifying Characteristics
The boat-shaped leaf tip, two white lines parallel to the mid-rib, and creeping-tillering rhizomes are characteristics that help to distinguish kentucky bluegrass from similar species like tall fescue and perennial ryegrass.

Trouble identifying a weed?

For additional assistance identifying weeds, contact Dr. Kevin Braldly, State Extension Weed Scientist (bradleyke@missouri.edu).

Office of Programs

University of Missouri

Kentucky Bluegrass

Poa pratensis

Trouble identifying a weed?