1. R. Miller 1 Turfgrass Identification Richard Miller Blackhawk Technical College

2. R. Miller 2 Introduction Approx. 10,000 species worldwide, 190 species in 64 genera in Wisconsin. 5 desirable grasses thrive as aggressive and attractive “ground covers” in this northern cool humid region of the United States Primary to Understanding/Managing Turf we Must be able to Identify these 5 Common GRASSES

3. R. Miller 3 Frequently Asked Questions What are our Choices? What Do We Need to Know to Get Started? Do we need any equipment? What is the procedure?

4. R. Miller 4 What are our choices? How a Botanist would classify (Taxonomy)…

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6. 6 What Do We Need to Get Started? A Close-up view

7. R. Miller 7 Do we need any Equipment? A Magnifying Glass Could Be Helpful

8. R. Miller 8 What is the Procedure?

9. R. Miller 9 Select a single plant

10. R. Miller 10 Look for the Identifying Parts

11. R. Miller 11Overview There will be differences in how these parts appear or whether they appear or not. Leaf Tip Colla r Midrib Vernation Stolon s Sheath Ligule s Auricles Rhizomes

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13. R. Miller 13 Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis)

14. R. Miller 14 Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis) Boat Shaped Tip Folded vernation Ligule: Short, Membranous (Lacking) 2 Transparent Lines Along Midrib Rhizomes Auricles absent Collar Broad & Divided

15. R. Miller 15 Vocabulary Glossary of terms

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18. R. Miller 18 Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne)

19. R. Miller 19 Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne) Pointed Tip, shiny backside to Blade Folded Vernation Ligule: Short, Membranous Auricle: Small, Claw-like, or Absent Broad, Divided Collar Bunch Type ( no Stolons or Rhizomes)

20. R. Miller 20 Fine Fescues (creeping red, hard, chewings); Festuca ssp.

21. R. Miller 21 Fine Fescues (hard,creeping red, chewings); Festuca ssp. Tip is narrow, blade is fine Folded Vernation Ligule: very small membranous Auricles: absent No collar Bunch Type ex. Creeping may have Rhizomes

22. R. Miller 22 Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea)

23. R. Miller 23 Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea) Broad leaf blade, prominent veins on upper surface Rolled vernation Membranous Ligule Small Auricles Collar is very broad and conspicuous Bunch type, may have small rhizomes

24. R. Miller 24 Bentgrasses (creeping, colonial); Agrostis ssp.

25. R. Miller 25 Bentgrass (Agrostis ssp.) Tip pointed, prominent veination Rolled vernation Membranous Ligule(.5mm-2mm) Auricle: absent Narrow, broad oblique collar on Creeping bent.-none on Colonial Creeping=stolons Colonial=bunch, tufted, very short stolons & rhizomes may be present

26. R. Miller 26 Test Yourself on Pictures! 1

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31. R. Miller 31Answers 1. Perennial Ryegrass 2. Fine Fescue 3. Kentucky Bluegrass 4. Tall Fescue 5. Creeping Bentgrass

32. R. Miller 32 Some Useful Shortcuts Expect fine textures to be either Fescues or Bentgrasses…Fescues are more shade tolerant, Bentgrasses are very aggressive and are not very shade tolerant The most likely (non-weed) Rhizomatous grass will be Kentucky Bluegrass Using a process of “likely elimination”- you are possibly going to decide between Tall Fescue and Perennial Rye (both are bunch grasses) when vernation (Per. Rye is folded) and leaf blade (Per. Rye has a shiny backside) are the differences.

33. R. Miller 33 Summary We have learned that there are distinct differences in grass plant morphology if we look close enough Knowing the correct identity of our turfgrasses helps us properly manage our lawns, parks and sportsturf and/or advise our clients Practice, Practice, Practice…Correct identification requires repetition

34. R. Miller 34 Where to Get More Information Blackhawk Technical College- Landscape and Turf Services Program Books: i.e. Fundamentals of Turfgrass Management by Dr. Nick Christians; Turfgrass Management, latest edit. By A.J. Turgeon; Turfgrass Science and Management by Robert Emmons Trade Publication articles Electronic sources: i.e. www.sportsturfmanager.org University of Wisconsin – Extension Publications