The morphological and anatomical features of ligules of some Poa species (members of Poa pratensis group: P. pratensis, P. angustifolia, P. humilis; species outside the group: P. compressa, P. alpina) were studied by light and scanning electron microscopy. They are described in detail, emphasizing interspecific differences and habitat-dependent variation of shape, length and prickle hair density. All ligules studied are membranous, without veins and stomata-like structures, and may have only a few mesophyll-like cells. The P. pratensis ligule rarely contains short prickle hairs. Short leaflike prickle hairs occur densely on the ligule of P. angustifolia. The ligule of P. humilis is densely covered by long prickle hairs. The long prickle hairs of P. compressa end in elongated, curved apexes. There are no prickle hairs on the ligule of P. alpina. The density of hairs on the abaxial surface is habitat-dependent for all species studied. Ligule anatomy in the P. pratensis group is quite uniform, leading them to be grouped as closely related species, but the line differences identified are useful for their identification.
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