Wood Bluegrass

Hybridization between Poa nemoralis and P. palustris is very common in the northern parts of Eurasia. Both species form numerous cytological races, and apomixis is common. Members of this agamic complex are here accepted as a separate, polytypic species of ancient origin and stabilized by apomixis and selection, which needs to be distinguished from the products of recent hybridization and for which the name P. ×intricata Wein can be used.

Culms loosely tufted or with short rhizomes, 30–50(–75) cm tall, nodes 3–5, uppermost less than 1/2 way up. Leaf sheaths smooth or slightly scabrid, subequal to blade; blade flat, quite soft, 7–15 cm × 1–3 mm, adaxial surface smooth or scabrid; ligule 0.5–1.5 mm, obtuse. Panicle effuse, 5–12(–18) cm, branches 2–5 per node, upper part with sparse spikelets. Spikelets 3.5–5(–8) mm, florets 2 or 3; glumes narrowly lanceolate, slightly unequal; rachilla glabrous or scabrid to densely hairy; lemma lanceolate, keel and marginal veins sparsely pubescent along proximal 1/3; callus sparsely villous or glabrous. Anthers 1.5–2 mm. Fl. Jun–Aug.

Hebei, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Nei Mongol, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Xinjiang, Yunnan [Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Russia; Europe].

Open stony, rocky, and grassy slopes, alpine meadows; 300–4200 m.