An introduced rhizomatous perennial with flowering stems 1-3 feet tall. Stem, sheath and the narrow, pointed leaves are smooth and hairless. Oval to pyramid-shaped, open panicles up to 12 inches long have whorled branches, especially at the base (A). They bear many red-to-purple spikelets, each consisting of a single floret giving the panicle the color responsible for its common name (D). Color fades to gray after flowering.
Low, moist bottomlands. Redtop is uncommon at Fontenelle Forest on North Stream Trail near its junction with Cottonwood Trail. At Neale Woods it is rare on River Trail. Flowering occurs in late June and July.
The panicle shape is similar to Kentucky (Poa pratensis) and Woodland Bluegrass (Poa sylvestris), but the bluegrasses flower earlier and do not have reddish spikelets.
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