Skaneateles Conservation Area/Invasive species/Poa

<< Moderately invasive plants at the SCA

Poa spp. (bluegrass)
There are about 15 bluegrass (Poa species) growing wild in New York state, including both native and introduced grasses. Of these species, 5 are considered to be invasive:


 * Poa compressa (Canada blue grass) - Moderately invasive (69%)
 * Poa pratensis (Kentucky blue grass) - Moderately invasive (68%)
 * Poa bulbosa (bulbous blue grass) - Invasive (49%)
 * Poa annua (annual bluegrass) -
 * Poa trivialis (rough-sheathed blue grass) - widespread weed of seasonally-wet shaded areas

Invasiveness ranking for Poa (bluegrass)
Regulated by New York State law.

1. Ecological impact (/)
1.1. Impact on Natural Ecosystem Processes and System-Wide Parameters

1.2. Impact on Natural Community Structure

1.3. Impact on Natural Community Composition

1.4. Impact on other species or species groups

2. Biological characteristics and dispersal ability (/)
2.1. Mode and rate of reproduction

2.2 Innate potential for long-distance dispersal

2.3. Potential to be spread by human activities

2.4. Characteristics that increase competitive advantage

2.5. Growth vigor

2.6. Germination/Regeneration

2.7. Other species in the genus invasive in New York or elsewhere

3. Ecological amplitude and distribution (/)
3.1. Density of stands in natural areas in the northeastern USA and eastern Canada

3.2. Number of habitats the species may invade

3.3. Role of disturbance in establishment

3.4. Climate in native range

3.5. Current introduced distribution in the northeastern USA and eastern Canada

3.6. Current introduced distribution of the species in natural areas in the 8 NY PRISMs

4. Difficulty of control (/)
4.1. Seed banks

4.2. Vegetative regeneration

4.3. Level of effort required