Poa lanigera: The Mystery Grass That’s Likely Lost to Time
Every once in a while, a plant name pops up that sends even experienced botanists and native plant enthusiasts on a wild goose chase. Meet Poa lanigera, a grass species so elusive that finding reliable information about it feels like searching for a needle in a haystack—if that needle might not even exist anymore.
What We Know (Spoiler Alert: It’s Not Much)
Poa lanigera belongs to the grass family (Poaceae), specifically the genus Poa, which includes many of our familiar bluegrasses and meadow grasses. The name lanigera comes from Latin, meaning wool-bearing, which gives us a tantalizing hint that this grass might have had some fuzzy or hairy characteristics that made it stand out from its relatives.
But here’s where things get tricky: despite being a named species, concrete information about Poa lanigera’s native range, appearance, growing habits, and current status is virtually nonexistent in modern botanical literature and databases. This suggests the species may be extremely rare, possibly extinct, or perhaps was historically misidentified.
Why This Matters for Native Gardeners
You might be wondering why we’re talking about a grass that seems to exist more in name than in our gardens. Well, Poa lanigera represents something important in the world of native plants—the reality that not every species described by early botanists has survived to the present day, and some may have been lost before we fully understood their ecological value.
What to Plant Instead
If you’re drawn to the idea of growing native Poa species (and who wouldn’t be—they’re fantastic grasses!), here are some well-documented alternatives that you can actually find and grow:
- Canada bluegrass (Poa compressa) – A hardy, low-growing native grass perfect for naturalized areas
- Fowl bluegrass (Poa palustris) – Great for wetland gardens and areas with variable moisture
- Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda) – A drought-tolerant western native that’s perfect for xeriscaping
The Takeaway
While we may never get to grow the mysterious Poa lanigera in our gardens, its story reminds us of the importance of documenting and preserving the native plants we do have access to. Every time you choose a well-documented native grass over a non-native alternative, you’re helping ensure that future gardeners won’t be left wondering what if about the plants in their local ecosystems.
Sometimes the most valuable lesson a plant can teach us is the importance of not taking our current native flora for granted. So while Poa lanigera remains an enigma, let’s celebrate and cultivate the amazing native grasses we can still grow and enjoy.
