Alpine meadow grass (Poa alpina, Sp. Pl.: 67 (1753))

Family: Poaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 67 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Poa

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Temp. Northern Hemisphere to Mexico (Veracruz)

Description

Alpine meadow grass, known scientifically as Poa alpina, is a remarkable species belonging to the Poaceae family. First described by the esteemed botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1753 in his seminal work “Species Plantarum,” this resilient grass has garnered attention for its wide geographical range and adaptability.

Thriving in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, Poa alpina can be found stretching as far south as Veracruz in Mexico. This demonstrates its adaptability to varying environmental conditions and altitudes, making it a significant species for studying ecological resilience.

The robust nature of Alpine meadow grass allows it to flourish in alpine meadows, where it often forms a crucial component of the local flora. Its presence in these ecosystems highlights its importance in maintaining the health and stability of alpine environments. The grass is typically identified by its fine, lush green blades and its capability to endure harsh conditions, including cold temperatures and poor soil quality.

Poa alpina plays an essential role in the ecological networks of the regions it inhabits. It provides both forage for herbivores and cover for smaller wildlife, contributing to the biodiversity and sustainability of these ecosystems. Furthermore, this grass species helps in preventing soil erosion, maintaining soil structure, and supporting other plant life by stabilizing the ground with its root systems.

Given its broad distribution and significant ecological role, Poa alpina continues to be an important subject of study for botanists and ecologists. Its adaptability and ecological contributions offer insights into the resilience of plant species in the face of climatic challenges and environmental changes.

Common Names

Deu: alpen-rispengras
Eng: alpine bluegrass, alpine meadow grass, bluegrass, alpine meadow-grass, alpine speargrass, mountain speargrass
Nor: fjellrap, sulurvrap, tufsrap
Nob: fjellrapp
Nno: fjellrapp
Swe: fjällgröe, tunturinurmikka
Fin: tunturinurmikka
Fra: pâturin alpin, pâturin des alpes
Sme: várresuoidni
Cym: gweunwellt alpaidd, gweunwellt y mynydd
En: Alpine meadow grass, Alpine bluegrass, Bluegrass, Alpine Meadow-grass, Alpine Blue Grass, Alpine speargrass, Mountain speargrass, Alpine Poa
Bg: Алпийска ливадина
Ca: Poa alpina
Zh: 高山早熟禾
Cs: Lipnice alpská
Nl: Alpenbeemdgras
Et: Alpi nurmikas
Fi: Tunturinurmikka
Fr: Pâturin alpin, Pâturin des Alpes
De: Alpen-Rispengras, Romeie
Is: Fjallasveifgras
It: Fienarola delle Alpi
Lt: Alpinė miglė
Se: Várresuoidni
No: Fjellrapp, Fjellrap, Sulurvrap, Tufsrap
Nb: Fjellrapp
Nn: Fjellrapp
Fa: چمن کوهستانی
Pl: Wiechlina alpejska
Ru: Mjatlik al’ pijskij, Мятлик альпийский
Sv: Fjällgröe, Tunturinurmikka
Uk: Тонконіг альпійський
Cy: Gweunwellt y mynydd, Gweunwellt Alpaidd

Synonyms

• Poa flavescens (E.Thomas ex Hegetschw.)
• Poa brizoides (Wohll.)
• Poa blepharachne (Steud.)
• Poa alpina var. digitata (Beauverd)
• Poa alpina var. involucrata (Lange)
• Poa alpina subsp. involucrata ((Lange) K.Richt.)
• Poa alpina var. frigida ((Gaudin) Rchb.)
• Poa annua var. glomerata (Gray)
• Poa alpina var. atlantica (Trab.)
• Poa elbrussica (Timpko)
• Poa macedonica var. nana (Stoeva & Kožuharov)
• Poa alpina var. glomerata (Gray)
• Poa alpina var. bivonae ((Parl.) H.St.John)
• Poa olympica (Schott, Nyman & Kotschy)
• Poa hosteana (Schur)
• Poa alpina var. vivipara (L.)
• Poa discolor (Hoppe ex Trin.)
• Poa borisii (Stef.)
• Poa alpina var. nana (Latourr.)
• Poa alpina subsp. digitata (Beauverd)
• Poa alpina var. obtusata (Litard. & Maire)
• Poa alpina subsp. subalpina ((Schur) Simonk.)
• Poa alpina var. stricta ((Hegetschw. & Heer) Ducommun)
• Poa alpina var. alpestris (Andersson)
• Poa macedonica ((Acht.) Stoeva & Kožuharov)
• Poa alpina var. flavescens (Mutel)
• Poa alpina var. macedonica (Acht.)
• Poa alpina subsp. nodosa ((Hartm.) Neuman)
• Poa alpina f. brevifolia ((Gaudin) Döll)
• Poa alpina subsp. vivipara ((L.) Arcang.)
• Poa alpina f. longifolia (Döll)
• Poa subalpina (Schur)
• Poa alpina subsp. atlantica ((Trab.) Romo)
• Poa alpina var. lapponum (Wahlenb.)
• Poa alpina subsp. stefanovii (Fiserová)
• Poa djurdjurae (Trab.)
• Poa parnassica (Boiss. & Heldr.)
• Poa bivonae (Parl.)
• Poa macedonica var. pseudovivipara (Stoeva & Kožuharov)
• Poa alpina subsp. fallax (F.Herm.)
• Poa alpina subsp. insularis ((Parl.) Hayek)
• Poa violascens (Phil.)
• Poa alpina var. nodosa (Hartm.)
• Poa pratensis var. alpina ((L.) Huds.)
• Poa frigida (Gaudin)
• Poa macedonica var. achtarovii (Stoeva & Kožuharov)
• Poa appennina (Jan)
• Poa alpina var. buxicola (Douin)
• Poa insularis (Parl.)
• Poa alpina subsp. bivonae ((Parl.) Soják)
• Poa alpina subsp. stenobotrya (Maire)
• Poa alpina var. parva (Trin.)
• Poa alpina var. australis (Andersson)
• Uralepis mutica (E.Fourn.)
• Poa alpina var. rupicaprina (Domin)
• Poa alpina var. intermedia (Ambrosi)
• Poa attenuata (Czetz)
• Poa alpina subsp. balcanica (Fiserová)
• Poa macedonica var. tenuifolia (Stoeva & Kožuharov)
• Poa alpina var. divaricata (Schur)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Alaska (native)
• Albania (native)
• Alberta (native)
• Altay (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Føroyar (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Greenland (native)
• Iceland (native)
• Idaho (native)
• Iran (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Labrador (native)
• Magadan (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• Montana (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Nepal (native)
• Nevada (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• Newfoundland (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Northwest Territorie (native)
• Norway (native)
• Nova Scotia (native)
• Nunavut (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Poland (native)
• Qinghai (native)
• Québec (native)
• Romania (native)
• Saskatchewan (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Svalbard (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Tibet (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Tuva (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Utah (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• Washington (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Wyoming (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Yukon (native)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Soreng, R.J. (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Soreng, R.J. (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jun 28, 2006 by Tela Botanica − Claude FIGUREAU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 8, 2012 by EOL − Michael Wunderli (cc-by)

Taken Jul 22, 2021 by Vaste Ostendte (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 11, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 11, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 11, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 11, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 11, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jun 28, 2022 by Guy Robert (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 20, 2021 by Franco Colnago (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 11, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 20, 2021 by Franco Colnago (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jun 11, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jul 23, 2020 by alexander Camillo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 19, 2022 by Peter Andresen (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 6, 2020 by Syl Lec (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 14, 2020 by Jean-François Baudin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 1, 2018 by herve rey (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Mar 1, 2020 by Pierre-Guy (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 15, 2001 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2008 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2016 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2704234)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:320036-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Poa alpina L.)

Specifications

Growth