Variation and Names in the Poa secunda Complex

Abstract

The members of the Poa secunda complex were studied using transplant experiments, morphological studies of population samples, and various numerical taxonomic techniques including principal components analysis and discriminant analysis. The complex is shown to comprise 2 species: Poa curtifolia, a serpentine endemic from central Washington, and P. secunda, a widespread polymorphic rangegrass. Other forms may be recognizable locally, but do not represent separate evolutionary lines. If range managers need names for these local forms, the names should be informal English names rather than Latin binomials.