What does poa mean?
Poa is a large and diverse genus of grasses that includes many familiar meadow-grass species. Its members may be annual or perennial and occur in habitats ranging from meadows and pastures to roadsides, lawns, and mountain slopes. The name is primarily botanical: an author might discuss a newly identified Poa species, compare the growth habits of different Poa grasses, or refer to Poa annua, the annual bluegrass often found among turf and paving. Because Poa includes numerous commercially important forage and turf grasses, it also has practical significance in agriculture, horticulture, and plant ecology. The genus belongs to the grass family Poaceae. Although its individual species can differ substantially in form and habitat, the shared name Poa provides a concise way of identifying grass plants that belong to this recognized botanical group. The term is usually treated as a scientific name rather than as an everyday English noun.
nounPoa is a large genus of perennial and annual grasses in the family Poaceae, including many familiar meadow-grass species. The name is chiefly used in botanical and agricultural contexts.
- A large genus of grasses, including meadow grasses and annual bluegrasses, widely distributed in temperate and other cool regions.
"The field was covered with several species of Poa, including meadow grasses adapted to cool, wet conditions."
"Researchers classified the newly discovered grass as a new species within Poa."
"The grazing pasture supports several Poa species that thrive in moist soil."
The plural is uncommon; individual species are normally referred to by their full scientific names.
"The collection includes several poas from high-altitude grasslands."
One familiar member, Poa annua, is the annual bluegrass commonly found in lawns and pavements around the world.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does poa come from?
The name comes from Ancient Greek πόα (póa), meaning “grass.” It was adopted into botanical Latin as Poa and used as a genus name for grasses. The modern family name Poaceae and the related adjective poaceous were subsequently derived from this genus name, while poology retains the same Greek element in the sense of the study of grasses.
Related word forms
How poa is actually used
Poa is a scientific genus name and is normally capitalized and italicized. In specialist writing, it may refer collectively to the grasses belonging to the genus.