Alpine Bluegrass

Poa alpina

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Poaceae
Genus:
Poa
Species:
Poa alpina

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Graminoid
Height:
1-2 ft
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Low
Bloom Months:
mar, apr, may, jun, jul, aug
Bloom Colors:
Pink, Purple

Native Range

United States: Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Michigan, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, Canada: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Red-disked alpine (Erebia discoidalis)

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
rocky, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
commonly found in alpine and subalpine meadows

Germination Information

Pre-treatment: No stratification is required. Germination occurs at 22D/15N C alternating temperature cycle. Germination is greater in dark than light.

Establishment: P. alpina is a circumboreal species found From Alaska to Newfoundland and south through the mountains of Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Wyoming, Colorado, and Utah. It also occurs in subalpine to alpine meadows, ridges and talus slopes; from Alaska to Quebec, south in the Cascades to just north of Mt. Rainier, WA., east to northeastern Oregon, Utah, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, and northern Michigan. It is also found throughout Eurasia.

Source: npn.rngr.net