Arctic Bluegrass
Poa arctica
- Native to:
- Aleutian Is., Canada, China, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Kuril Is., Labrador, Norway, Russia, Svalbard, Sweden, United States
Matt Lavin
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Poa
- Species:
- Poa arctica
- USDA Symbol:
- POAR2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 50 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- moist, well-drained, nutrient-rich soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- good drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Commonly found in tundra and alpine regions.
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–28 days
- Notes:
- Cool temperatures (10-15°C) favor germination. Light may improve germination rates.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: None required
Establishment: P. arctica is a circumpolar species found from Alaska and Yukon to Ellesmere island and east to Newfoundland. It ranges south at high elevations to California, Utah, and New Mexico.
Source: npn.rngr.net