A common garden weed
Annual Bluegrass, Poa annua, is a non-native species, often growing in sidewalk cracks, gardens, and other disturbed areas. It is an annual grass that does a good job of reseeding itself, which is why you can see it time and time again in the same spot. It is a cool-season grass that greens up in late winter and early spring.
This grass is short in size, grows in a dense clump, and produces fibrous roots, making it easier to weed than rhizomatous grasses. Like other bluegrasses, the leaves of Annual Bluegrass have a keeled, or boat-shaped tip. This means that the tip of the blade is shaped like the front of a kayak.
Annual Bluegrass produces a panicle inflorescence with pointed spikelets. If you're familiar with Kentucky Bluegrass, the inflorescence looks very similar.
The key to controlling this plant is to remove it before it sets seed.
Need a refresher on grass identification terms, like ligule and spikelet? Check out this blog post!
