Broadleaf meadow grass (Poa chaixii, Fl. Delphinalis: 7 (1786))

Family: Poaceae

Author: Vill.

Bibliography: Fl. Delphinalis: 7 (1786)

Year: 1786

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Poa

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe to Caucasus

Description

Broadleaf meadow grass, scientifically known as Poa chaixii, is a perennial species belonging to the Poaceae family. This grass is primarily indigenous to regions spanning from Europe to the Caucasus, thriving in a variety of landscapes within these areas.

This distinctive grass, first documented in 1786 in the work Fl. Delphinalis by Vill., is known for its broad, lush leaves that make it easily recognizable among other meadow grasses. It typically flourishes in meadowlands, edges of forests, and along riverbanks where the soil is fertile and well-drained.

The broadleaf meadow grass plays a crucial ecological role, providing habitat and nourishment for various insects, birds, and small mammals. Its robust nature makes it an excellent candidate for soil stabilization projects, as it helps prevent erosion while enriching the soil with organic matter as it grows and decomposes.

Poa chaixii’s adaptability to a range of environmental conditions, coupled with its aesthetic appeal, also makes it a popular choice in gardening and landscape design. It brings a natural, meadow-like charm to gardens and green spaces, with its tall, slender stems and broad leaves creating a sense of movement and texture.

Moreover, as a member of the Poaceae family, broadleaf meadow grass shares several characteristics common within this family, including a high level of adaptability and resilience. These traits not only ensure its survival across diverse habitats but also make it a valuable species for ecological and agricultural purposes.

Common Names

Nld: bergbeemdgras
Eng: broad-leaved meadow-grass, broadleaf bluegrass, broadleaf meadow grass, chaix’s bluegrass, broad-leaved bluegrass
Deu: chaix rispengras, wald-rispengras
Lit: pla
Dan: sudetisk rapgræs
Swe: parkgröe, puistonurmikka
Nob: parkrapp
Nno: parkrapp
Fin: puistonurmikka
Fra: pâturin montagnard, pâturin de chaix, pâturin des monts sudètes
Lav: šeksa skarene
Cym: gweunwellt llydanddail
En: Broadleaf meadow grass, Broadleaf bluegrass, Broad-leaved Meadow-grass, Chaix’s bluegrass, Broad-leaved bluegrass
Zh: 扁鞘早熟禾
Cs: Lipnice širolistá
Da: Sudetisk rapgræs
Nl: Bergbeemdgras
Fi: Puistonurmikka
Fr: Pâturin montagnard, Pâturin de Chaix, Pâturin des monts Sudètes
De: Wald-Rispengras, Berg-Rispengras, Chaix Rispengras, Berg Rispengras, Chaix’ Rispengras
It: Fienarola di Chaix
Lv: Šeksa skarene
Lt: Pla
Nb: Parkrapp
Nn: Parkrapp
Sv: Parkgröe, Puistonurmikka
Uk: Тонконіг Ше
Cy: Gweunwellt llydanddail

Synonyms

• Poa sclerophylla (Spreng. ex C.Presl)
• Poa rubens (Moench)
• Poa sudetica var. densa (Čelak.)
• Poa sudetica var. rubens (Tinant)
• Poa willemetiana (God.-Leb.)
• Cynodon sudeticus ((Haenke) Raspail)
• Poa haemii (F.Herm.)
• Poa chaixii var. glabra (Wein)
• Poa chaixii var. straminea (Wein)
• Poa sudetica var. cucullata (Neilr.)
• Poa remota subsp. chaixii ((Vill.) E.G.Almq.)
• Poa chaixii var. purpurascens (Hausskn.)
• Poa sudetica (Haenke)
• Poa sudetica var. viridis (DC.)
• Poa chaixii var. rubens ((DC.) P.Fourn.)
• Poa chaixii var. virginea (Asch. & Graebn.)
• Poa sylvatica (Chaix)
• Poa sulcata (Lag.)
• Poa sudetica var. atrata (Pers.)
• Poa quadripedalis (Ehrenb. ex Köhlerer)
• Poa commutata (Roem. & Schult.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Austria (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Italy (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Poland (native)
• Romania (native)
• Spain (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Baltic States (introduced)
• Central European Rus (introduced)
• Denmark (introduced)
• East European Russia (introduced)
• Finland (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Minnesota (introduced)
• Netherlands (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• Northwest European R (introduced)
• Norway (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Sweden (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Jul 5, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 5, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 5, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 5, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 5, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Habit

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

Taken Apr 24, 2010 by EOL − Michael Wunderli (cc-by)

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

Taken Apr 24, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Hugues TINGUY (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 11, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Flower

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

Taken Jul 5, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 5, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 11, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 11, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Aug 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Bernard TILLY (©)

Taken Jul 4, 2009 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu MENAND (cc-by-sa)

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

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

Taken Jul 11, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jun 8, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Daniel MATHIEU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 4, 2009 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu MENAND (cc-by-sa)

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

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

Other

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

Taken Jun 8, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Daniel MATHIEU (cc-by-sa)

© 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/2704211)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:416729-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Poa chaixii Vill.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Graminoid

Growth

Ph maximum: 5.0

Ph minimum: 4.5

Light: 6

Atmospheric humidity: 6

Bloom months: [‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’]

Soil nutriments: 4