Alaskan Bluegrass: A Rare Native Grass Worth Knowing About
If you’ve stumbled across the name Alaskan bluegrass in your quest for native plants, you’ve discovered one of Alaska’s more elusive grass species. Poa hartzii alaskana is a perennial grass that calls the Last Frontier home, but don’t expect to find it at your local nursery anytime soon.
What Makes This Grass Special?
Alaskan bluegrass belongs to the vast family of grasses and grass-like plants, specifically falling into what botanists call the graminoid group. This includes not just true grasses, but also sedges, rushes, and other grass-like plants that form the backbone of many natural ecosystems.
As a perennial, this grass would theoretically return year after year, making it a potentially valuable addition to sustainable landscapes – if only it were more readily available!
Where Does It Grow?
This grass is exclusively native to Alaska, making it a true Alaskan endemic. You won’t find wild populations anywhere else in North America, which adds to both its uniqueness and its mystery.
The Rarity Factor: Why You Should Know But Probably Can’t Grow It
Here’s where things get interesting (and a bit disappointing for eager gardeners). Alaskan bluegrass has a conservation status of S3S4T1T2, which essentially means its population status is somewhat uncertain, but it appears to be uncommon to rare. This rarity status raises some important considerations:
- The plant may have very specific habitat requirements that are difficult to replicate in garden settings
- Seeds or plants are likely not commercially available
- Even if you could source it, harvesting from wild populations could harm already limited populations
Should You Try to Grow Alaskan Bluegrass?
The honest answer is: probably not, at least not right now. With such limited information about its growing requirements, cultivation methods, and availability, this grass remains more of a botanical curiosity than a practical garden choice.
If you’re determined to include this species in your landscape, the only responsible approach would be to source material from reputable native plant suppliers who can guarantee their stock comes from ethical, sustainable sources – though finding such sources may prove challenging given the plant’s rarity.
Better Alternatives for Alaska Gardeners
If you’re looking to incorporate native Alaskan grasses into your landscape, consider these more readily available alternatives:
- Other Poa species native to Alaska that are better documented and more available
- Native sedges and rushes that provide similar ecological functions
- Consult with local native plant societies or extension services for recommendations specific to your area
The Bottom Line
Alaskan bluegrass represents the fascinating diversity of Alaska’s native flora, but it’s probably best admired from afar for now. Sometimes the most responsible thing we can do as gardeners is to appreciate rare plants in their natural habitats while choosing more common native alternatives for our home landscapes.
If you’re passionate about supporting rare native plants, consider contributing to botanical research or conservation organizations working to better understand and protect Alaska’s unique plant communities. Who knows? Perhaps future research will unlock the secrets to successfully cultivating this elusive grass, making it available to gardeners while ensuring its wild populations remain secure.
