+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| ## Sandberg Bluegrass {#sandberg-bluegrass .Title-Header}             |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| *Poa secunda* Presl                                                   |
|                                                                       |
| Plant Symbol = POSE                                                   |
|                                                                       |
| including:                                                            |
|                                                                       |
| *P. ampla* Merr. (POAM)                                               |
|                                                                       |
| *P. canbyi* (Scribn.) Howell (POCA)                                   |
|                                                                       |
| *P. gracillima* Vasey (POGR)                                          |
|                                                                       |
| *P. juncifolia* Scribn. (POJU)                                        |
|                                                                       |
| *P. nevadensis* Vasey (PONE3)                                         |
|                                                                       |
| *P. sandbergii* Vasey (POSA12)                                        |
|                                                                       |
| *P. scabrella* (Thurb.) Benth (POSC)                                  |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

Contributed by: USDA NRCS, Boise, Idaho

![](media/image2.jpeg){width="2.957638888888889in"
height="3.6458333333333335in"}

Mark Majerus, Montana Plant Materials Center, Bridger, Montana

##### Alternate Names {#alternate-names .Header-3}

*P. ampla* = Big bluegrass

*P. canbyi* = Canby's bluegrass

*P. gracillima* = Pacific or Slender bluegrass

*P. juncifolia* = Alkali bluegrass

*P. nevadensis* = Nevada bluegrass

*P. sandbergii* = Sandberg bluegrass

*P. scabrella* = Pine bluegrass

##### Description {#description .Header-3}

*General*: The Sandberg bluegrass complex is composed of cool-season
(with some summer active ecotypes) perennial bunch grasses. Most
accessions mature early in the growing season. This grass is one of the
first to green up in the spring, but is commonly cured and dormant by
early summer. The plant usually occurs as small tufts, with soft basal
leaves and few to many flowering stalks that are naked except for one or
two small leaves. The leaves have the typical bluegrass characteristics
of prow-shaped tip and double groove down the center of the upper leaf
surface. Sandberg bluegrass has a prominent membranaceous, acute ligule.
The seeds are glabrous except for short crisp hairs on the lower portion
of the lemmas. The flowers are in narrow panicles that are somewhat
spreading during anthesis. Plants seldom exceed 60 cm (24 in) in height.
Plants of the Sandberg bluegrass complex have extensive, deep
penetrating, coarse, fibrous roots that make them quite drought tolerant
and resistant to grazing and trampling. Species within the complex have
approximately 2,000,000 seeds per kilogram (925,000 seeds per pound).

*Distribution*: Plants occur throughout Western North America with
disjunct populations in Quebec and Chile. For current distribution,
consult the Plant Profile page for this species on the PLANTS Web site.

**Taxonomy**

The type specimen for *Poa secunda* was collected between 1790 and 1794
in "cordilleras Chilensibus" by Thaddeus Haenke and was described by
Presl in 1830. In 1892, Sandberg collected a plant near Lewiston, Idaho
which was described the following year by Vasey as *Poa sandbergii*.
Presl's work is recognized as having taxonomic priority due to its
earlier date (Arnow 1981).

The Sandberg bluegrass complex has included up to 45 named species
including eight species recognized by Hitchcock (1935): Canby's
bluegrass (*P. canbyi),* big bluegrass (*P. ampla*)*,* little mountain
bluegrass (*P. curtifolia*), Pacific bluegrass (*P. gracillima*)*,*
alkali bluegrass (*P. juncifolia*)*,* Nevada bluegrass (*P.
nevadensis*), Pine bluegrass (*P. scabrella)* and the traditional
Sandberg bluegrass (*P. sandbergii*) (Arnow 1981). Kellogg (1985a,
1985b) however, demonstrated that for all species except *P.
curtifolia*, the characters used to separate the species were
unreliable. Many were often environmentally determined, for example
plants turning red when dry, leaf rolling and leaf glaucusness. Research
has shown that under garden and greenhouse conditions these characters
don't exhibit themselves as they do under field conditions (Kellogg
1985b). Other characters vary so widely within a population that they
are not reliable to delineate groups within the complex.

Based on these findings, Kellogg (1985a) synonomized the entire complex
with the exception of *P. curtifolia*, a well-defined species endemic to
serpentine outcrops in the Wenatchee Mountains in Kittitas and Chelan
Counties, Washington (Hitchcock and others 1971).

![](media/image3.jpeg){width="3.0in"
height="1.8118055555555554in"}Variation in Sandberg bluegrass releases;
left to right: 'Sherman' big bluegrass, High Plains and Mountain Home
Sandberg bluegrass.

Derek J. Tilley, USDA NRCS Idaho PMC, Aberdeen, Idaho

Although evidence currently points to a large, highly variable suite of
forms making up the Sandberg bluegrass complex, the authors of this
paper believe that unique phenotypes exist and the separation of these
forms is still useful in describing ecological sites, predicting
revegetation performance and in making land management decisions. In
this light, the authors have decided to provide descriptions here of the
seven separate forms of Sandberg bluegrass recognized by Hitchcock
(1935), minus *P. curtifolia*, as an aid to land managers.

The following taxonomic key taken from Cronquist and others (1977)
should be useful in separating the seven species of the Sandberg
bluegrass complex.

1\. Lemmas crisp puberulent to nearly glabrous, the

pubescence sometimes confined to the very base.

2\. Panicles open, the lower branches nearly at

right angles to the axis; culms often decumbent

at the base; plants summer flowering

..........................................*P. gracillima*

2\. Panicles contracted or somewhat open; culms

usually erect.

3\. Plants relatively small, culms mostly less

than 30 cm tall; basal leaves forming a short

dense tuft, 3-10 cm high; panicles 2-7 cm

long; mostly spring flowering\...*P. sandbergii*

3\. Plants larger, mostly more than 30 cm

tall; basal leaves looser, the tuft 5-30 cm

high; panicles 6-16 cm long; mostly summer

flowering

4\. Basal tuft of leaves 3-15 cm high;

panicles 4-12 cm long...\...\.....*P. scabrella*

#####  4. Basal tuft of leaves 15-30 cm high;  {#basal-tuft-of-leaves-15-30-cm-high .Header-3}

#####  panicles 9-16 cm long.........\....*P. canbyi* {#panicles-9-16-cm-long....p.-canbyi .Header-3}

##### 1. Lemmas usually glabrous, sometimes minutely {#lemmas-usually-glabrous-sometimes-minutely .Header-3}

#####  scaberulous {#scaberulous .Header-3}

#####  5. Ligules decurrent, long, 1.5-6.5 mm long, {#ligules-decurrent-long-1.5-6.5-mm-long .Header-3}

#####  acuminate or sharply acute......*.P. nevadensis* {#acuminate-or-sharply-acute.p.-nevadensis .Header-3}

#####  5. Ligules not obviously decurrent, short, 1-2 mm {#ligules-not-obviously-decurrent-short-1-2-mm .Header-3}

#####  long, rounded or obtuse to truncate. {#long-rounded-or-obtuse-to-truncate. .Header-3}

#####  6. Blades involute, mostly less than 1.5 mm  {#blades-involute-mostly-less-than-1.5-mm .Header-3}

#####  broad, greenish; plants 20-70 cm tall;  {#broad-greenish-plants-20-70-cm-tall .Header-3}

#####  usually growing in alkaline soils {#usually-growing-in-alkaline-soils .Header-3}

#####  \...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...*P. juncifolia* {#p.-juncifolia .Header-3}

#####  6. Blades mostly flat, 1.5-3.5 mm broad, often  {#blades-mostly-flat-1.5-3.5-mm-broad-often .Header-3}

#####  glaucous; plants robust, 60-180 cm tall; {#glaucous-plants-robust-60-180-cm-tall .Header-3}

#####  growing in non-alkaline soils......\...*P. ampla*  {#growing-in-non-alkaline-soils...p.-ampla .Header-3}

#####  {#section .Header-3}

![](media/image4.jpeg){width="3.071527777777778in"
height="2.6458333333333335in"}'Sherman' big bluegrass. USDA NRCS.

Big bluegrass (*Poa ampla*)

This is the most robust species within the Sandberg bluegrass complex.
Culms reach 60 to 130 cm (24 to 48 in) tall, with basal leaves growing
to 40 cm (16 in) long and 1.5 to 3.5 mm (1/16 to 1/8 in) wide. The
leaves are typically bluish-green and somewhat glaucus. Panicles range
from 10 to 18 cm (4 to 7 in) long and are narrow with densely arranged
spikelets. This species occupies sagebrush slopes, mid-elevation meadows
and openings in aspen stands. Big bluegrass is notable for early
green-up, greater forage production and its importance to range
management.

Canby's bluegrass (*Poa canbyi*)

Canby's bluegrass bears green to glaucus leaves with culms to 80 cm (31
in) tall. The basal leaves are typically 15 to 30 cm (6 to 12 in) long
and 1 to 3 mm (1/16 to 3/32 in) wide. The panicles are loose to compact
with erect branches growing to a length of 16 cm (6 ¼ in). Plants of
Canby's bluegrass grow on open grassy or sagebrush slopes at middle
elevations. In its native habitat this species actively grows during the
late spring and matures by early July as opposed to *P. sandbergii*
(Cronquist and others 1977)

Pacific or Slender bluegrass (*Poa gracillima*)

This is another summer active species. Culms range from 20 to 50 cm (8
to 20 in) tall. Leaf blades are flat and lax from 5 to 15 cm (2 to 5 in)
long and 0.7 to 2 mm (1/32 to 1/16 in) wide. The panicles are open and
pyramidal. Lemmas of Pacific bluegrass have longer hairs on the keel
than *P. sandbergii*. This species can be found in meadows, stream banks
and rocky slopes from British Columbia to the California Sierras, with
populations also found in northern Nevada, northern Utah and Colorado.

Nevada bluegrass (*Poa nevadensis*)

This is the most robust species within the Sandberg bluegrass complex
next to *P. ampla*. This species is a perennial bunchgrass with culms as
much as 100 cm (39 in) tall. Basal leaves typically reach a length of 25
cm (10 in) with a width of 1 to 3 mm (1/16 to 3/32 in). Nevada bluegrass
has distinctive long acuminate ligules from 1.5 to as much as 6 mm (1/16
to ¼ in) long. The narrow panicles are 10 to 18 cm (4 to 7 in) long with
yellowish-green to purplish-tinged spikelets. Nevada bluegrass can be
found in mountain foothill to mountain areas in sagebrush communities
including mountain meadows from Alaska to southern California and east
to Arizona, Colorado and Montana.

Alkali bluegrass (*Poa juncifolia*)

This species is regarded as being closely related to *P. ampla*
(Cronquist and others 1977) and it has been shown that when grown under
garden conditions the differences between the two species are lost
(Hitchcock and others 1969). Typically the plants are smaller with culms
growing 30 to 70 cm (12 to 26 in) tall. Leaf blades are tightly rolled
and less than 2 mm (1/16 in) wide. Panicles are narrow, 7 to 15 cm (2 ¾
to 6 in) long with short, ascending branches. This species prefers moist
or dry alkaline meadows from the sagebrush zone to mountain communities
from British Columbia and south to South Dakota, Wyoming, Nevada, and
Utah. Populations have also been found in New Mexico.

Sandberg bluegrass (*Poa sandbergii*)

This is probably the most common bluegrass species in the Intermountain
West, at least in the drier portions of the region, and is an important
species for small animals and birds in spring and fall (Cronquist and
others 1977). It is not considered an important forage species for
livestock or large wildlife species. Plants are relatively small with
culms reaching 20 to 35 cm (8 to 14 in) tall and basal leaves 3 to 5 cm
(1 to 2 in) long. Plants occur in dry areas in sagebrush and mountain
shrub communities, and occasionally in alpine sites.

Pine bluegrass (*Poa scabrella*)

This species can be tentatively separated from Canby's bluegrass by its
being a spring flowering species as opposed to summer, and from Sandberg
bluegrass by its smaller size. However; it is admittedly very closely
related to both and extremely difficult to separate when the species are
found in close proximity to one another. Typically this species is found
on relatively dry sites on sagebrush hills and forest lands at low to
mid-elevations from British Columbia to Baja California, Nevada Utah and
east to Colorado and Minnesota.

##### ![](media/image5.jpeg){width="2.8319444444444444in" height="3.2395833333333335in"} {#section-1 .Header-3}

##### Pine bluegrass. http://www.tarleton.edu/\~range/Home/home.htm {#pine-bluegrass.-httpwww.tarleton.edurangehomehome.htm .Header-3}

#####  {#section-2 .Header-3}

##### Uses {#uses .Header-3}

##### Sandberg bluegrass species and the other spring ecotypes are palatable to livestock early in the growing season, becoming less desirable during the summer when cured. Summer growing ecotypes are palatable longer into the season. By autumn Sandberg bluegrass is frequently selected again as an available alternative. Deer, pronghorn antelope, and bighorn sheep utilize Sandberg bluegrass forage and birds and small mammals utilize the seed (Johnson and Larson 1999).  {#sandberg-bluegrass-species-and-the-other-spring-ecotypes-are-palatable-to-livestock-early-in-the-growing-season-becoming-less-desirable-during-the-summer-when-cured.-summer-growing-ecotypes-are-palatable-longer-into-the-season.-by-autumn-sandberg-bluegrass-is-frequently-selected-again-as-an-available-alternative.-deer-pronghorn-antelope-and-bighorn-sheep-utilize-sandberg-bluegrass-forage-and-birds-and-small-mammals-utilize-the-seed-johnson-and-larson-1999. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-3 .Header-3}

##### Because of the small stature and early maturity, most of the species of Sandberg bluegrass do not provide much usable forage; however, big bluegrass and Nevada bluegrass can be important forage producers for larger animals. Sandberg bluegrass is usually a minor component of many grassland communities, but is still considered one of the six most important rangeland grasses of the Intermountain and Pacific Northwest regions (USDA Forest Service 1937).  {#because-of-the-small-stature-and-early-maturity-most-of-the-species-of-sandberg-bluegrass-do-not-provide-much-usable-forage-however-big-bluegrass-and-nevada-bluegrass-can-be-important-forage-producers-for-larger-animals.-sandberg-bluegrass-is-usually-a-minor-component-of-many-grassland-communities-but-is-still-considered-one-of-the-six-most-important-rangeland-grasses-of-the-intermountain-and-pacific-northwest-regions-usda-forest-service-1937. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-4 .Header-3}

##### The anticipated use of commercially available Sandberg bluegrass seed is for inclusion in native mixtures for wildlife habitat, reclamation of disturbed sites, restoration of native rangeland and for conservation plantings. {#the-anticipated-use-of-commercially-available-sandberg-bluegrass-seed-is-for-inclusion-in-native-mixtures-for-wildlife-habitat-reclamation-of-disturbed-sites-restoration-of-native-rangeland-and-for-conservation-plantings. .Header-3}

##### Status {#status .Header-3}

Consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for this plant's current status (e.g. threatened or endangered
species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

#####  {#section-5 .Header-3}

##### Adaptation {#adaptation .Header-3}

Sandberg bluegrass is considered an increaser in mid and short-grass
prairies, mountain meadows, and foothills of south-central Canada and
western United States (Dakotas west to Washington), south to Mexico
(Hitchcock 1935) (Hitchcock & Cronquist 1976). It is found at elevations
ranging from 100 to 3,650 meters (300 to 12,000 ft). It grows well on
medium texture soils but is also common on badlands, ridge tops, and
dry, stony, or sandy soils. It is a pioneer species, one of the first
grasses to colonize on disturbed sites. Plants of the Sandberg bluegrass
complex occupy a niche in bunchgrass plant communities. The primary area
of use would include the northern Great Plains (Montana, Wyoming, North
Dakota, South Dakota, Colorado), the Intermountain West including the
Great Basin (Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Utah), and the Palouse
country (Idaho, Oregon, Washington).

Sandberg bluegrass is considered to be a facultative apomyct,
reproducing primarily (but not limited to) agamospermy, or asexual seed
production (Kellogg 1987). Larson and others (2001) showed that genetic
diversity within natural populations of Sandberg bluegrass was much
greater than that in the releases Sherman or Canbar. Accordingly,
releases, such as Reliable Sandberg bluegrass germplasm, have been
developed from multiple plant populations to ensure higher amounts of
genetic diversity and greater adaptation (Waldron and others 2006).

##### Establishment {#establishment .Header-3}

##### For best results, seed should be planted into a firm, weed-free seedbed, preferably with a drill that will ensure a uniform seed placement of about 6 mm (1/8 to 1/4 inch). The small seed can be broadcast seeded, harrowed, and packed for good seed-soil contact; however, in dryland situations good precipitation at the time of germination is critical for emergence and establishment. The full seeding rate is 1.7 kg/ha PLS (2.0 lb/ac PLS), but this species would seldom be seeded in a pure stand. This species would normally be included in native seed mixtures at a rate of 0.3 to 0.6 kg/ha PLS (1/4 to 1/2 lb/ac PLS). Seeding in early spring is favored in areas that have early growing season moisture patterns such as the Northern Great Plains, while fall dormant seedings are preferred in winter rainfall areas such as the Columbia Basin and most of the Intermountain West. Sandberg bluegrass is considered a pioneer species and is often one of the first grasses to respond to surface manipulation of deteriorated rangeland. Sandberg bluegrass is a relatively short-lived grass, but often perpetuates itself through prolific seed set and shatter. {#for-best-results-seed-should-be-planted-into-a-firm-weed-free-seedbed-preferably-with-a-drill-that-will-ensure-a-uniform-seed-placement-of-about-6-mm-18-to-14-inch.-the-small-seed-can-be-broadcast-seeded-harrowed-and-packed-for-good-seed-soil-contact-however-in-dryland-situations-good-precipitation-at-the-time-of-germination-is-critical-for-emergence-and-establishment.-the-full-seeding-rate-is-1.7-kgha-pls-2.0-lbac-pls-but-this-species-would-seldom-be-seeded-in-a-pure-stand.-this-species-would-normally-be-included-in-native-seed-mixtures-at-a-rate-of-0.3-to-0.6-kgha-pls-14-to-12-lbac-pls.-seeding-in-early-spring-is-favored-in-areas-that-have-early-growing-season-moisture-patterns-such-as-the-northern-great-plains-while-fall-dormant-seedings-are-preferred-in-winter-rainfall-areas-such-as-the-columbia-basin-and-most-of-the-intermountain-west.-sandberg-bluegrass-is-considered-a-pioneer-species-and-is-often-one-of-the-first-grasses-to-respond-to-surface-manipulation-of-deteriorated-rangeland.-sandberg-bluegrass-is-a-relatively-short-lived-grass-but-often-perpetuates-itself-through-prolific-seed-set-and-shatter. .Header-3}

##### Management {#management .Header-3}

##### Sandberg bluegrass will withstand heavy grazing and trampling, in part, because of its early maturity and apparent dormancy during the summer and fall grazing period. When planted in a native reclamation mix, it will be a minor component of the establishing plant community; therefore management should be based on other key species in the mixture. Any new planting should be deferred from livestock grazing until it is well established which may require 1 to 3 years (Schwendiman 1971). {#sandberg-bluegrass-will-withstand-heavy-grazing-and-trampling-in-part-because-of-its-early-maturity-and-apparent-dormancy-during-the-summer-and-fall-grazing-period.-when-planted-in-a-native-reclamation-mix-it-will-be-a-minor-component-of-the-establishing-plant-community-therefore-management-should-be-based-on-other-key-species-in-the-mixture.-any-new-planting-should-be-deferred-from-livestock-grazing-until-it-is-well-established-which-may-require-1-to-3-years-schwendiman-1971. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-6 .Header-3}

##### Pests and Potential Problems {#pests-and-potential-problems .Header-3}

Sandberg bluegrass is susceptible to stem and leaf rusts which can
significantly decrease seed production (Mosman 2005). Rust outbreaks can
be prevented and controlled by applying a 14 oz rate of systemic
fungicides such as Propiconazole and Azoxystrobin ('Quilt' ^tm^). Always
follow the label in any pesticide application.

##### Environmental Concerns {#environmental-concerns .Header-3}

Sandberg bluegrass is a native perennial grass that is considered an
increaser under heavy grazing conditions and is a pioneer (early
colonizing species) on rangeland disturbances or surface manipulated
sites. This species is a bunchgrass and seed shatter does not travel far
from the parent plant. It occupies space in bunchgrass plant communities
and assists with deterring invasive species encroachment due to its
extensive root system.

It is recommended in mixtures on sites needing an early spring perennial
grass to compete against annual weeds. Sandberg bluegrass is known to
fill in interspaces between larger bunchgrasses and effectively impedes
the spread of cheatgrass (Monsen and others 2004). Seed may be consumed
by songbirds, upland game birds, and small mammals and spread through
feces. Sandberg bluegrass is not aggressive, and therefore is not
considered to be invasive.

**Seed Production**

Seed should be planted in rows using a drill that will ensure a uniform
6 mm (1/4 inch) planting depth. Seeding is best in early spring (April 1
to May 15). Seed in rows with at least 45-60 cm (18-24 in) spacing on
irrigated sites and 75-90 cm (30-36 in) on dryland sites.

Seed production should not be attempted on dryland sites receiving less
than 380 mm (15 inches) of annual precipitation. Seed of this species
matures early, so a long growing season is not necessary. However, seed
production should not be attempted in areas that have a high probability
of a killing frost past May 15^th^. Commercial seed production fields of
Sandberg bluegrass will not produce seed the first (establishment) year.
Seed production fields should be established using a rate of 150 to 250
seeds/linear meter of row (50-80 PLS/linear foot). This will equate to
0.6 to 1.2 kg/ha (0.5 to 1 lb/ac) of pure live seed. Because of the
small seed size, seeding rates are often in the neighborhood of 2.2
kg/ha (2 lb/ac) because of the difficulty in metering such a small
volume of seed through a drill.

Seeding in wide-spaced rows facilitates weed control and allows for more
robust plant development resulting in optimum seed production. Close
cultivation should occur only during the establishment year. As the
stand matures, cultivation should be further away from the row, allowing
tillering from the edges and preventing damage to surface roots. There
are several broadleaf herbicides that are registered for use in grass
seed production fields, however, options are limited for chemical
control of annual grassy weeds.

The average harvest date in south-central Montana ranges from June 24 to
August 19; the harvest date varying with spring and early summer
climatic conditions. Good seed production can be expected during the
second and third years of production with seed production dropping off
drastically the fourth year. Expected seed production is 85-175 kg/ha
(75-150 lbs/ac) on dryland and 110-445 kg/ha (100-400 lbs/ac) on
irrigated sites. Seed ripening is uniform enough that seed can be direct
combined, but swathing and combining from a cured windrow is the
preferred method of harvest.

##### Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) {#cultivars-improved-and-selected-materials-and-area-of-origin .Header-3}

Various \"ecotypes\" should be utilized within a reasonable geographic
range from the original source, since available releases are primarily
source identified or selected germplasm releases and have not been
progeny tested to determine their range of adaptation and performance.

*Service* big bluegrass (*Poa ampla)* comes from a collection made east
of Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada. It is intended for use in
reclamation, native habitat restoration and erosion control throughout
most of Alaska (Alderson and Sharp 1994). Breeder seed is available
through the Alaska Plant Materials Center, Palmer, Alaska.

*'Sherman'* big bluegrass (*Poa ampla)* was collected from a native
population near Moro, Sherman County, Oregon in 1932 and this cultivar
was released in 1945 by the Washington, Idaho and Oregon Agricultural
Experiment Stations and the Pullman Washington Plant Materials Center.
This is a large stature bunchgrass growing to nearly 1 meter tall
(Alderson and Sharp 1994). It is intended for use in range reseeding,
cropland retirement plantings, and revegetation of disturbed lands in
mountain brush communities and openings in aspen and conifer forests. It
is best adapted to areas that receive 10-24 inches of annual
precipitation. Plants of Sherman are readily eaten by livestock and
large game. Foundation seed is available through Washington State Crop
Improvement Association, and breeder seed is maintained by the Pullman,
Washington Plant Materials Center.

*'Canbar'* Canby's bluegrass (*Poa canbyi)* is a cultivar release and
was selected from a single collection made in the Blue Mountains,
Columbia County, Washington. It is adapted to sites receiving 10 to 24
inches annual precipitation and is intended for use in basin, Wyoming
and mountain big sagebrush plant communities in western states. Canbar
should be used in a mixture on sites needing an early spring perennial
grass to compete against annual weeds. Canbar is known to fill in
interspaces between larger bunchgrasses and effectively impedes the
spread of cheatgrass (Monsen and others 2004). Foundation seed is
available through the Washington State Crop Improvement Association.
Breeder seed is maintained by the Pullman, Washington Plant Materials
Center.

*Opportunity Selected Germplasm* Nevada bluegras*s (Poa nevadensis)* was
released in 2008 from the Bridger Plant Materials Center. This is the
first release of the Nevada bluegrass type to the commercial seed
industry. The Nevada bluegrass type is a more robust, taller,
significantly more productive and later maturing grass than the Sandberg
bluegrass type. The original collection of this seed came from a site
near Wisdom Junction along Highway 1 east of Anaconda, Montana. This
site was severely contaminated with heavy metals from smelter fallout
and other mine tailing sources. This release is a late maturing, large
stature bluegrass with folded leaves similar to big bluegrass and long
ligules. It is best adapted to 2000 to 6500 feet (610 to 1980 m), native
to drastically disturbed sites in the 10 to 18 inch mean annual
precipitation zones. This collection has performed well on sites with
low pH and contamination by heavy metals. G~1~ (equivalent to
Foundation) seed is available to commercial growers through the
Foundation Seed Program at Montana State University and the University
of Wyoming. The Montana and Wyoming Seed Certification Programs will
recognize G~2~ (equivalent to Registered) and G~3~ (equivalent to
Certified) classes of germplasm.

#####  {#section-7 .Header-3}

##### ![](media/image6.jpeg){width="3.0in" height="2.25in"} {#section-8 .Header-3}

##### Seed production field of High Plains Sandberg bluegrass at the Bridger, MT PMC.  {#seed-production-field-of-high-plains-sandberg-bluegrass-at-the-bridger-mt-pmc. .Header-3}

##### Susan Winslow, USDA NRCS Montana PMC, Bridger, Montana {#susan-winslow-usda-nrcs-montana-pmc-bridger-montana .Header-3}

#####  {#section-9 .Header-3}

##### *High Plains Selected Germplasm* Sandberg bluegrass *(Poa sandbergii)* was released in 2000 from the Bridger Plant Materials Center. This is the first release of the *Poa sandbergii* type to the commercial seed industry. This release is a composite of three accessions originating from the high plains of Wyoming; one each from Natrona (300-350 mm precip., elev. 1,590 m), Campbell (250-300 mm precip., elev. 1,430 m), and Uinta (175-225 mm precip., elev. 1,920 m) counties. G~1~ (equivalent to Foundation) seed is available to commercial growers through the Foundation Seed Program at Montana State University and the University of Wyoming. The Montana and Wyoming Seed Certification Programs will recognize G~2~ (equivalent to Registered) and G~3~ (equivalent to Certified) classes of germplasm. {#high-plains-selected-germplasm-sandberg-bluegrass-poa-sandbergii-was-released-in-2000-from-the-bridger-plant-materials-center.-this-is-the-first-release-of-the-poa-sandbergii-type-to-the-commercial-seed-industry.-this-release-is-a-composite-of-three-accessions-originating-from-the-high-plains-of-wyoming-one-each-from-natrona-300-350-mm-precip.-elev.-1590-m-campbell-250-300-mm-precip.-elev.-1430-m-and-uinta-175-225-mm-precip.-elev.-1920-m-counties.-g1-equivalent-to-foundation-seed-is-available-to-commercial-growers-through-the-foundation-seed-program-at-montana-state-university-and-the-university-of-wyoming.-the-montana-and-wyoming-seed-certification-programs-will-recognize-g2-equivalent-to-registered-and-g3-equivalent-to-certified-classes-of-germplasm. .Header-3}

##### *Mountain Home Germplasm* Sandberg bluegrass (*Poa sandbergii)* is test material from the USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station in Boise, ID. Mountain Home Germplasm is not a release at this point, but is under commercial production and being utilized in seed mixes in the Intermountain West. {#mountain-home-germplasm-sandberg-bluegrass-poa-sandbergii-is-test-material-from-the-usda-forest-service-rocky-mountain-research-station-in-boise-id.-mountain-home-germplasm-is-not-a-release-at-this-point-but-is-under-commercial-production-and-being-utilized-in-seed-mixes-in-the-intermountain-west. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-10 .Header-3}

*Hanford Source Identified Germplasm* Sandberg bluegrass (*Poa
sandbergii*) is a release from L&H Seeds in Connell, Washington. The
original material was collected from Hanford, Washington from an area
receiving an average 6 inches of annual precipitation. It is adapted to
droughty regions in the west and/or locations with well drained sandy
soils.

*Duffy Creek and Wallowa Source Identified Germplasm* (*Poa sandbergii)*
are releases from Benson Farms Inc. Both are intended for use in arid
sites throughout the western states.

*Reliable Selected Germplasm* Sandberg bluegrass (*Poa sandbergii)* was
released by the USDA-ARS and the Utah Agricultural Experiment Station in
2004. This is a multi-origin germplasm stemming from 28 collections
representing seven USDA-NRCS ecological sites. Reliable was developed
for its high genetic diversity and to provide adaptation over a broad
ecological range (Waldron and others 2006). G~1~ and G~2~ seed is
maintained by the USDA-ARS Forage and Range Research Laboratory, Logan,
UT. G~3~ seed is available through the Utah Crop Improvement
Association. Seed through the G~5~ generation will be eligible for
certification as Selected Class germplasm.

##### References {#references .Header-3}

Alderson, J. and W.C. Sharp. 1994. Grass Varieties in the United States.
Rev. ed. Agricultural Handbook 170. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service. 296 p.

Arnow, L.A. 1981. *Poa secunda* Presl. Versus *P. sandbergii* Vasey
(Poaceae). Systmatic Botany 6:412-421.

Cronquist, A., A.H. Holmgren, N.H. Holmgren and J.L. Reveal. 1977.
*Intermountain Flora: Vascular Plants of the Intermountain West*, U.S.A.
The New York Botanical Garden.

Hitchcock, A.S. 1935. Manual of the Grasses of the United States.
Miscellaneous Publication No. 200. US Printing Office, Washington D.C.

Hitchcock, C.L., A. Cronquist, M. Owenby and J.W. Thompson. 1969.
Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington
Press. Seattle, WA.

Hitchcock, C.L. and A. Cronquist. 1976. Flora of the Pacific
Northwest-An Illustrated Manual. University of Washington Press.
Seattle, WA.

Johnson, R.J. and G.E. Larson. 1999. Grassland Plants of South Dakota
and the Northern Great Plains. B-566, South Dakota State University,
Brookings, SD.

Kellogg, E.A. 1985a. A biosystematic study of the *Poa secunda* complex.
J. Arnold Arboretum 66:201-242.

Kellogg, E.A. 1985b. Variation and names in the *Poa secunda* complex.
J. Range Management. 38:516-521.

Kellogg, E.A. 1987. Apomixis in the *Poa secunda* complex. American
Journal of Botany 74: 1431-1437.

Monsen, S.B., Stevens, R. and N. Shaw. 2004. Grasses. In: S.B. Monsen,
R. Stevens, and N.L. Shaw \[compilers\]. Restoring western ranges and
wildlands. Fort Collins, CO: USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain
Research Station. General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-136-vol-2. p.
295-424.

Mosman, D. 2005. Personal communication. Mosman Seed Ranch. Craigmont,
ID.

Schwendiman, J.L. 1971. Culture and uses of 'Sherman' big bluegrass.
USDA SCS Plant Science Handbook. Spokane, WA.

USDA Forest Service. 1937. Range Plant Handbook. U.S Government Printing
Office, Washington D.C.

##### Waldron, B.L., S.R. Larson, K.B. Jensen, R.D. Harrison, A.J. Palazzo and T.J. Cary. 2006. Registration of Reliable Sandberg Bluegrass Germplasm. Crop Science 46: 487-488. {#waldron-b.l.-s.r.-larson-k.b.-jensen-r.d.-harrison-a.j.-palazzo-and-t.j.-cary.-2006.-registration-of-reliable-sandberg-bluegrass-germplasm.-crop-science-46-487-488. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-11 .Header-3}

##### Prepared By {#prepared-by .Header-3}

*Derek Tilley*, USDA NRCS Plant Materials Center, Aberdeen, Idaho

*Dan Ogle*, Plant Materials Specialist,

USDA NRCS, Boise, Idaho

##### *Mark Majerus*, USDA NRCS Plant Materials Center, Bridger, Montana (retired) {#mark-majerus-usda-nrcs-plant-materials-center-bridger-montana-retired .Header-3}

#####  {#section-12 .Header-3}

##### *Roger Hybner*, USDA NRCS, Plant Materials Center, Bridger, Montana {#roger-hybner-usda-nrcs-plant-materials-center-bridger-montana .Header-3}

#####  {#section-13 .Header-3}

##### *Larry Holzworth*, USDA NRCS, Bozeman, Montana (retired) {#larry-holzworth-usda-nrcs-bozeman-montana-retired .Header-3}

*Mark Stannard*, USDA NRCS, Plant Materials Center, Pullman, Washington

##### Species Coordinator {#species-coordinator .Header-3}

*Dan Ogle*, USDA NRCS, Boise, Idaho

##### Edited: djt010407; dgo041008; lkh110706; ms120706; 081006 jsp {#edited-djt010407-dgo041008-lkh110706-ms120706-081006-jsp .Header-4}

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

*The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in
all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national
origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual
orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases
apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require
alternative means for communication of program information (Braille,
large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA\'s [TARGET
Center](http://www.usda.gov/oo/target.htm) at 202-720-2600 (voice and
TDD).*

*To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence
Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice or
TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.*

Read about [*Civil Rights at the Natural Resources Conservation
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