Do you know that Poa Trivialis is among your yard’s most challenging weed grass to control? These weeds, commonly known as Poa Triv or rough bluegrass, can be a stumbling block to having a greener, healthy lawn. But how can you know your property is infested with these weeds? In this article, you’ll learn about Poa Trivialis identification, the reasons for having it in your grass, and how to control it. Read on.
You can identify Poa Trivialis with their narrow, smooth, light green leaves, reddish hue, and pointed membranous ligule. The weeds also have stolons and folded buds, and the leaves lack auricles and hairs. Additionally, these plants have bumpy stems and pyramid-shaped seed heads, which are shiny and yellow.
What is Poa Trivialis
Poa Trivialis also known as rough bluegrass, rough meadow-grass, or rough-stalked meadow-grass is a perennial grass with light green and narrow leaves growing aggressively in shaded, moist, and cold areas.
The grass thrives in spring and fall but goes dormant during summer’s hot weather. It turns brown and vanishes when the temperature is high, leaving bare patches in your lawn.
Although it looks dead, the roots are still alive, waiting for the cold season to re-emerge and take over the property.
How to Identify Poa Trivialis
Here are the things you can identify Poa Triv with;
i. Habit – The plant spreads by stolons and seeds and grows aggressively in fall and spring. It also goes dormant during summer, when the leaves die and restore during cold weather.
ii. You can also identify Poa Trivialis with folded buds, stolons, reddish hue to stem and leaves, and pointed membranous ligule. However, the plant lacks auricles and hairs.
iii. These weeds’ leaves are light green, narrow and smooth.
iv. Poa Trivialis seed head is a pyramid-shaped panicle with elliptic, shiny, and yellow seeds.
Why Do I Have Poa Trivialis On My Lawn?
Your lawn has Poa Trivialis weeds due to the following reasons;
1. Cold Weather
Poa Trivialis thrives during cold seasons; therefore, it’s pretty normal for it to grow during winter, fall, and spring seasons.
2. Shade
This weed grass loves shade. So, if your lawn is under a high shade, it’s normal for Poa Triv to develop.
3. Low mowing height
These weeds can grow on your lawn if you mow the turf shorter than two inches. This is because sunlight and good air circulation encourage weeds germination.
4. Waterlogged soil
It’s apparent to see Poa Trivialis weeds in your yard if the ground is soggy or waterlogged. So, ensure you follow the right watering schedule when irrigating your lawn.
How Do I Get Rid of Poa Trivialis?
Identification Poa Trivialis is a serious issue among lawn lovers but it is quite a challenge when the grass is young, making its treatment difficult. Additionally, it re-emerges even after several herbicide treatments since it is perennial.
However, you can eliminate it by spraying the lawn with post-emergent herbicides like Xenorate, Velocity, or Roundup.
Furthermore, you must follow lawn management practices to prevent this weed grass from regrowing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What causes Poa Trivialis?
A: The common causes for Poa Trivialis are cool weather and damp soils. This grass grows aggressively in places with too much moisture and shade and thrives during cold seasons.
Q: Does tenacity control Poa Trivialis?
A: Tenacity is a herbicide that cannot effectively control Poa Trivialis. However, you can use it to weaken this weed grass so it spreads slowly.
Conclusion
Poa Trivialis are among the most challenging lawn weeds to get rid of. They grow and spread aggressively, especially in shaded and waterlogged areas and during cold weather.
You can identify them with their light green leaves with a reddish hue, folded buds, and pointed membranous ligules. They also have stolons, the leaves are narrow and smooth, and the stems are bumpy.
Get rid of Poa Triv today, using post-emergent herbicides such as Xenorate, Velocity, or Roundup on your lawn multiple times.
