Vegetative Key to Common Grasses of Western Washington

Vegetative Key to Common Grasses of Western Washington Vegetative Key to Common Grasses of Western Washington

Printed June 2010 Prepared by: Kathryn Hill The Evergreen State College Ecological Agriculture Advanced Grasslands Spring Quarter 2010 2 39 Printed June 2010 Prepared by: Kathryn Hill The Evergreen State College Ecological Agriculture Advanced Grasslands Spring Quarter 2010 2 39

(Page 3) - Picture taken from West Virginia University Extension Service: http://www.caf.wvu.edu/~forage/library/cangrass/index.htm (Pages 8 & 22) - Picture taken from The Pennsylvania State University: http://www.forages.psu.edu/images/grass/56%20tall%20fescue%20auricles.gif (Pages 14 & 29) - Picture taken from University of Missouri Extension: http://extension.missouri.edu/publications/displaypub.aspx?p=mp903-5 Blade Basic anatomy of a Grass Plant Ligule Auricles Sheath 38 3 (Page 3) - Picture taken from West Virginia University Extension Service: http://www.caf.wvu.edu/~forage/library/cangrass/index.htm (Pages 8 & 22) - Picture taken from The Pennsylvania State University: http://www.forages.psu.edu/images/grass/56%20tall%20fescue%20auricles.gif (Pages 14 & 29) - Picture taken from University of Missouri Extension: http://extension.missouri.edu/publications/displaypub.aspx?p=mp903-5 Blade Basic anatomy of a Grass Plant Ligule Auricles Sheath 38 3

This key serves to facilitate the identification of common grasses of western Washington and Oregon using vegetative characteristics. The key begins on the following page, with grass species descriptions beginning on page 20. Rough-stalked Bluegrass (Poa trivialis) Compressed Divided by midrib 2 3 mm long, pointed 2 5 mm wide, boat-shaped tip Rough sheath Fair palatability 4 37 This key serves to facilitate the identification of common grasses of western Washington and Oregon using vegetative characteristics. The key begins on the following page, with grass species descriptions beginning on page 20. Rough-stalked Bluegrass (Poa trivialis) Compressed Divided by midrib 2 3 mm long, pointed 2 5 mm wide, boat-shaped tip Rough sheath Fair palatability 4 37

Canada Bluegrass (Poa compressa) Leaves rolled in the bud-shoot: Smooth, compressed Divided by midrib 0.5 1.2 mm long 2 5 mm wide, boat-shaped tip Pale bluish-green color Go to Page 6 Leaves folded in the bud-shoot: Go to Page 16 36 5 Canada Bluegrass (Poa compressa) Leaves rolled in the bud-shoot: Smooth, compressed Divided by midrib 0.5 1.2 mm long 2 5 mm wide, boat-shaped tip Pale bluish-green color Go to Page 6 Leaves folded in the bud-shoot: Go to Page 16 36 5

Auricles present: Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis) Smooth, compressed Divided by midrib 0.2 0.6 mm long 2 5 mm wide, boat-shaped tip Deep green color Go to Page 7 No auricles present: Go to Page 10 6 35 Auricles present: Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis) Smooth, compressed Divided by midrib 0.2 0.6 mm long 2 5 mm wide, boat-shaped tip Deep green color Go to Page 7 No auricles present: Go to Page 10 6 35

Orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata) Hairy leaves and/or stems: Smooth, compressed Divided by midrib 2 8 mm long 5 12 mm wide Ligule sharply pointed Go to Page 21 No hair on leaves or stems: Go to Page 8 34 7 Orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata) Hairy leaves and/or stems: Smooth, compressed Divided by midrib 2 8 mm long 5 12 mm wide Ligule sharply pointed Go to Page 21 No hair on leaves or stems: Go to Page 8 34 7

Hair on auricles: Poverty Oatgrass (Danthonia spicata) Hairy Hairy, continuous 0.2 1.2 mm long Hairy, 2 3 mm wide Ligule is a fringe of hairs Go to Page 22 No hair on auricles: Go to Page 9 Native species Fair palatability 8 33 Hair on auricles: Poverty Oatgrass (Danthonia spicata) Hairy Hairy, continuous 0.2 1.2 mm long Hairy, 2 3 mm wide Ligule is a fringe of hairs Go to Page 22 No hair on auricles: Go to Page 9 Native species Fair palatability 8 33

Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne) Rough blade margins: Smooth, usually compressed Clawlike/clasping Narrow 0.5 2.0 mm long 2 6 mm wide Blades smooth and glossy on lower surface Go to Page 23 Smooth blade margins: Go to Page 24 32 9 Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne) Rough blade margins: Smooth, usually compressed Clawlike/clasping Narrow 0.5 2.0 mm long 2 6 mm wide Blades smooth and glossy on lower surface Go to Page 23 Smooth blade margins: Go to Page 24 32 9

Hairy leaves and/or stems: Timothy (Phleum pretense) Smooth Continuous 1-2 mm long 4 12 mm wide Ligule often is notched on either side Go to Page 11 No hair on leaves or stems: Go to Page 13 10 31 Hairy leaves and/or stems: Timothy (Phleum pretense) Smooth Continuous 1-2 mm long 4 12 mm wide Ligule often is notched on either side Go to Page 11 No hair on leaves or stems: Go to Page 13 10 31

Reed Canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea) Long hairs: Smooth with distinct cross-veins Continuous 2 5 mm long 6 15 mm wide Blades rough on edges Go to Page 12 Short soft pubescent hairs: Native species Go to Page 25 30 11 Reed Canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea) Long hairs: Smooth with distinct cross-veins Continuous 2 5 mm long 6 15 mm wide Blades rough on edges Go to Page 12 Short soft pubescent hairs: Native species Go to Page 25 30 11

Long ligule (> 1.5 mm): Barnyard Grass (Echinochloa crusgalli) Smooth, compressed Broad 8 15 mm wide Go to Page 26 Medium-short ligule (< 1.5 mm): Go to Page 27 Fair palatability 12 29 Long ligule (> 1.5 mm): Barnyard Grass (Echinochloa crusgalli) Smooth, compressed Broad 8 15 mm wide Go to Page 26 Medium-short ligule (< 1.5 mm): Go to Page 27 Fair palatability 12 29

Smooth Bromegrass (Bromus inermis) Conspicuous W or M mid-blade: Smooth, closed Divided 0.5 long 4 12 mm wide Conspicuous W or M found mid-blade Go to Page 28 No conspicuous W or M : Go to Page 14 28 13 Smooth Bromegrass (Bromus inermis) Conspicuous W or M mid-blade: Smooth, closed Divided 0.5 long 4 12 mm wide Conspicuous W or M found mid-blade Go to Page 28 No conspicuous W or M : Go to Page 14 28 13

Ligule present: Crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis) Hairy, compressed Divided by midrib, hairy 0.5 1.5 mm long Hairy, 4 10 mm wide Blades soft and drooping but rough on edges Go to Page 15 No ligule present: Go to Page 29 14 27 Ligule present: Crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis) Hairy, compressed Divided by midrib, hairy 0.5 1.5 mm long Hairy, 4 10 mm wide Blades soft and drooping but rough on edges Go to Page 15 No ligule present: Go to Page 29 14 27

Tall Oatgrass (Arrhenatherum elatius) Long ligule (> 2 mm): Hairy Divided by midrib, hairy 1.5 2.5 mm long Hairy, 3 10 mm wide Variable in degree of hairiness Go to Page 30 Short-medium ligule (< 2 mm): Go to Page 31 26 15 Tall Oatgrass (Arrhenatherum elatius) Long ligule (> 2 mm): Hairy Divided by midrib, hairy 1.5 2.5 mm long Hairy, 3 10 mm wide Variable in degree of hairiness Go to Page 30 Short-medium ligule (< 2 mm): Go to Page 31 26 15

Auricles present: Velvetgrass (Holcus lanatus) Velvety hairs, compressed Hairy 0.5 2.0 mm long Hairy, 5 10 mm wide Ligule has fringe of hairs on top Go to Page 32 No auricles present: Go to Page 17 Poor palatability 16 25 Auricles present: Velvetgrass (Holcus lanatus) Velvety hairs, compressed Hairy 0.5 2.0 mm long Hairy, 5 10 mm wide Ligule has fringe of hairs on top Go to Page 32 No auricles present: Go to Page 17 Poor palatability 16 25

Annual (Italian) Ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) Tapered blade tip: Smooth Clawlike/clasping Continuous 0.5 2.0 mm long 4 7 mm wide Lower surface is smooth and glossy; blades smooth on edges Go to Page 18 Boat-shaped blade tip: Go to Page 19 24 17 Annual (Italian) Ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) Tapered blade tip: Smooth Clawlike/clasping Continuous 0.5 2.0 mm long 4 7 mm wide Lower surface is smooth and glossy; blades smooth on edges Go to Page 18 Boat-shaped blade tip: Go to Page 19 24 17

Hairy leaves and/or stems: Meadow Fescue (Festuca elatior) Smooth Clawlike/clasping 0.2 0.5 mm long Ribbed, 3 8 mm wide Blades rough on edges Go to Page 33 No hair on leaves or stems: Go to Page 34 18 23 Hairy leaves and/or stems: Meadow Fescue (Festuca elatior) Smooth Clawlike/clasping 0.2 0.5 mm long Ribbed, 3 8 mm wide Blades rough on edges Go to Page 33 No hair on leaves or stems: Go to Page 34 18 23

Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinaceae) Smooth Hairy - Clawlike/clasping 0.2 mm long Ribbed, 4 10 mm wide Blades rough on edges Deep green color / Short ligule (< 1 mm): Go to Page 35 Pale green color / Medium ligule: Go to Page 36 Rough sheath / Long ligule (> 2 mm): Fair palatability Go to Page 37 22 19 Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinaceae) Smooth Hairy - Clawlike/clasping 0.2 mm long Ribbed, 4 10 mm wide Blades rough on edges Deep green color / Short ligule (< 1 mm): Go to Page 35 Pale green color / Medium ligule: Go to Page 36 Rough sheath / Long ligule (> 2 mm): Fair palatability Go to Page 37 22 19

Index of Grasses Agropyron repens (Quackgrass).Page 21 Arrhenatherum elatius (Tall Oatgrass)..Page 26 Bromus inermis (Smooth Bromegrass).....Page 28 Dactylis glomerata (Orchardgrass).Page 34 Danthonia spicata (Poverty Oatgrass) Page 33 Digitaria sanguinalis (Crabgrass)...Page 27 Echinochloa crusgalli (Barnyard Grass)...Page 29 Festuca arundinaceae (Tall Fescue)..Page 22 Festuca elatior (Meadow Fescue)...Page 23 Holcus lanatus (Velvetgrass).Page 25 Lolium multiflorum (Annual Ryegrass) Page 24 Lolium perenne (Perennial Ryegrass) Page 32 Phalaris arundinacea (Reed Canarygrass)..Page 30 Phleum pretense (Timothy)...Page 31 Poa compressa (Canada Bluegrass)..Page 36 Poa pratensis (Kentucky Bluegrass)..Page 35 Poa trivialis (Rough-stalked Bluegrass).Page 37 Quackgrass (Agropyron repens) Hairy Clawlike/clasping Divided by midrib 0.5 1.0 mm long Hairy, 3 10 mm wide Variable in degree of hairiness 20 21 Index of Grasses Agropyron repens (Quackgrass).Page 21 Arrhenatherum elatius (Tall Oatgrass)..Page 26 Bromus inermis (Smooth Bromegrass).....Page 28 Dactylis glomerata (Orchardgrass).Page 34 Danthonia spicata (Poverty Oatgrass) Page 33 Digitaria sanguinalis (Crabgrass)...Page 27 Echinochloa crusgalli (Barnyard Grass)...Page 29 Festuca arundinaceae (Tall Fescue)..Page 22 Festuca elatior (Meadow Fescue)...Page 23 Holcus lanatus (Velvetgrass).Page 25 Lolium multiflorum (Annual Ryegrass) Page 24 Lolium perenne (Perennial Ryegrass) Page 32 Phalaris arundinacea (Reed Canarygrass)..Page 30 Phleum pretense (Timothy)...Page 31 Poa compressa (Canada Bluegrass)..Page 36 Poa pratensis (Kentucky Bluegrass)..Page 35 Poa trivialis (Rough-stalked Bluegrass).Page 37 Quackgrass (Agropyron repens) Hairy Clawlike/clasping Divided by midrib 0.5 1.0 mm long Hairy, 3 10 mm wide Variable in degree of hairiness 20 21