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Any of many slender annual and perennial lawn, pasture, and forage grass es of the genus Poa , in the family Poaceae, or Gramineae.
About 250 species are found in temperate and cool climates, more than 50 in the U.S. Most have small spikelets lacking bristles and arranged in open clusters. The narrow leaf blades have boat-shaped tips. With its blue-green leaves, Kentucky bluegrass ( P. pratensis ), the best-known U.S. species, is a popular lawn and pasture grass in the northern states and is common in open areas and along roadsides. Texas bluegrass ( P. arachnifera ), mutton grass ( P. fendleriana ), and plains bluegrass ( P. arida ) are important western forage grasses. Annual bluegrass ( P. annua ), a small, light green species, is considered a pest in lawns.
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In music, a Carter Family .
Bluegrass is distinguished from its predecessors by its more syncopated rhythm, its high-pitched tenor (lead) vocals, its tight harmonies, its driving rhythms, and a strong influence of jazz and blues . A very prominent place is given to the banjo, always played in the unique three-finger style developed by Earl Scruggs (see {{link=Flatt, Lester Raymond">Lester Flatt ). Mandolin and fiddle are generally featured, and traditional square-dance tunes, religious songs, and ballads furnish much of the repertory. Bluegrass was originated by and got its name from Bill Monroe and his Blue Grass Boys. From the late 1940s on, it continued to grow in popularity; from the 1970s an influx of younger musicians brought some influence from rock music.