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Tufted Hair-grass

Deschampsia cespitosa

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Plant Profile
Other Information
Distribution Map

Flowering Months:

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

Order:

Poales

Family:

Poaceae (Grass)

Also in this family:

Alpine Catstail, Alpine Foxtail, Alpine Meadow-grass, Annual Beard-grass, Annual Meadow-grass, Arrow Bamboo, Barren Brome Grass, Bearded Couch Grass, Bearded Fescue, Bermuda Grass, Black Bent, Black Grass, Blue Fescue, Blue Moor-grass, Bog Hair-grass, Borrer's Saltmarsh Grass, Bread Wheat, Bristle Bent, Brown Bent, Brown Sedge, Bulbous Foxtail, Bulbous Meadow-grass, California Brome Grass, Canary Grass, Carnation Sedge, Cocksfoot, Cockspur, Common Bent, Common Cord-grass, Common Millet, Common Reed, Common Saltmarsh Grass, Compact Brome Grass, Corn, Couch Grass, Creeping Bent, Creeping Soft-grass, Crested Dog's-tail, Crested Hair-grass, Cultivated Oat, Curved Hard Grass, Cut Grass, Dense Silky Bent, Downy Oat-grass, Drooping Brome Grass, Drooping Tor Grass, Dune Fescue, Early Hair-grass, Early Meadow-grass, Early Sand-grass, False Brome Grass, False Oat-grass, Fern Grass, Fine-leaved Sheep's Fescue, Flattened Meadow-grass, Floating Sweet-grass, Foxtail Barley, French Oat, Giant Fescue, Glaucous Meadow-grass, Great Brome Grass, Greater Quaking Grass, Grey Hair-grass, Hairy Brome Grass, Hairy Finger-grass, Hard Fescue, Hard Grass, Harestail Grass, Heath Grass, Holy Grass, Hybrid Marram Grass, Italian Rye Grass, Knotroot Bristlegrass, Lesser Hairy Brome Grass, Lesser Quaking Grass, Loose Silky Bent, Lyme Grass, Marram Grass, Marsh Foxtail, Mat Grass, Mat-grass Fescue, Meadow Barley, Meadow Fescue, Meadow Foxtail, Meadow Oat-grass, Mountain Melick, Narrow-leaved Meadow-grass, Narrow-leaved Small-reed, Neglected Couch Grass, Nit Grass, Orange Foxtail, Pampas Grass, Perennial Rye Grass, Plicate Sweet-grass, Purple Moor-grass, Purple Small-reed, Purple-stem Catstail, Quaking Grass, Ratstail Fescue, Red Fescue, Reed Canary Grass, Reed Sweet-grass, Reflexed Saltmarsh Grass, Rescue Grass, Rough Meadow-grass, Rush-leaved Fescue, Sand Catstail, Sand Couch Grass, Scandinavian Small-reed, Scottish Small-reed, Sea Barley, Sea Couch Grass, Sea Fern Grass, Sheep's Fescue, Silver Hair-grass, Six-rowed Barley, Slender Brome Grass, Small Cord-grass, Small Sweet-grass, Smaller Catstail, Smooth Brome Grass, Smooth Cord-grass, Smooth Finger-grass, Smooth Meadow-grass, Soft Brome Grass, Somerset Hair-grass, Sorghum, Spreading Meadow-grass, Squirreltail Fescue, Stiff Brome Grass, Stiff Saltmarsh Grass, Sweet Vernal Grass, Tall Fescue, Timothy Grass, Tor Grass, Two-rowed Barley, Upright Brome Grass, Velvet Bent, Viviparous Fescue, Wall Barley, Wavy Hair-grass, Wavy Meadow-grass, Whorl Grass, Wild Oat, Wood Barley, Wood Fescue, Wood Meadow-grass, Wood Melick, Wood Millet, Yellow Oat-grass, Yorkshire Fog

Type:

Flower

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Maximum Size:

150 centimetres tall

Habitats:

Farmland, fens, gardens, grassland, heathland, marshes, meadows, moorland, mountains, wasteland, wetland, woodland.

Flower:

✿

Purple, no petals

Tufted Hair-grass produces airy, elegant flower heads from June to August. The flowers are borne in open, arching panicles with fine, hair-like branches that give the plant a delicate, shimmering appearance when in bloom. Each small floret has long awns and appears silvery-green to purplish, catching the light beautifully. Wind-pollinated, the plant relies on its loose, mobile structure to release and catch pollen efficiently.

Fruit:

The fruit is a small, dry grain known as a caryopsis, typical of grasses. These seeds are lightweight and dispersed mainly by wind, aided by the fine, feathery structures of the remaining flower panicle. Once ripe, the flowering head turns a golden straw colour, and the seeds drop close to the base or are carried short distances.

Leaves:

Leaves are narrow, rough-edged, and dark green, often forming dense, arching tufts at the base. The lower leaves are long and tapering, while upper leaves are shorter and can be somewhat rolled. A distinctive feature is the tall, ligule (the small membranous outgrowth at the leaf base), which is blunt and can be over 5 mm long — a useful ID feature. The plant forms firm tussocks and can grow up to 1.5 m tall when in flower.

Fragrance:

The plant has no noticeable scent. When crushed, the leaves may give off a faint grassy or hay-like aroma, especially in warm conditions or late in the season when flowering is past.

Other Names:

Hair Grass, Hussock Grass, Tussock Grass.

Frequency (UK):

Abundant

Summary

Deschampsia cespitosa, also known as Tufted Hairgrass, is a species of grass in the Poaceae family. It is native to cool temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, including Europe, Asia, and North America. It is a perennial grass that forms dense tussocks or clumps, with a height that ranges from 15-150 cm. The leaves are flat and fine, green or bluish-green in color, and have a distinctive auricles (small ear-like appendages) at the base. The flowers are formed in loose, open panicles, which are greenish or purplish in color and appear in summer. This grass species is commonly used in ornamental gardening, landscaping, and as a ground cover. It is also used as a forage grass for livestock, and it is known to be tolerant of heavy grazing and of poor soil.

Blog

Tufted Hair-grass (Deschampsia cespitosa) is a species of grass native to Europe, Asia, and North America. It is a perennial grass that grows in dense tufts, with stems that can reach up to 1.5 meters in height. The grass is commonly found in meadows, marshes, and along riverbanks, and is an important component of many natural ecosystems.

Appearance and characteristics

Tufted Hair-grass has narrow, pointed leaves that can grow up to 60 cm in length. The leaves are deep green and glossy, with a prominent midrib. The grass produces long, slender stems that are topped with a delicate, feathery inflorescence. The inflorescence is made up of small flowers, each with a single bract, and can be up to 50 cm long.

The grass blooms in late spring or early summer, with the flowers turning a light golden color as they mature. The seeds are small and light, with a tuft of hair attached to aid in dispersal by the wind.

Ecological importance

Tufted Hair-grass is an important component of many natural ecosystems, particularly in wetland habitats. The dense tufts of grass provide cover and nesting sites for a variety of bird species, and the deep roots of the grass help to stabilize the soil and prevent erosion.

The grass is also an important food source for many animals, including elk, deer, and moose. In addition, the seeds of Tufted Hair-grass are an important food source for small mammals, such as voles and mice.

Cultural significance

Tufted Hair-grass has a long history of use in traditional medicine. The grass has been used to treat a variety of ailments, including headaches, fevers, and stomach disorders. The leaves and stems of the grass have also been used to make tea, which is said to have a calming effect on the nerves.

In addition, Tufted Hair-grass has been used for centuries as a thatching material for roofs. The grass is still used for this purpose today in some parts of Europe, particularly in the Scandinavian countries.

Conservation status

Tufted Hair-grass is not considered to be a threatened species, and is in fact considered to be invasive in some areas outside of its native range. However, like many wetland species, the grass is sensitive to changes in water levels and nutrient availability. Wetland habitats are also under threat from habitat loss and degradation due to human activities, such as drainage and land development.

As such, it is important to protect and conserve wetland habitats in order to ensure the continued survival of Tufted Hair-grass and other wetland species. Conservation efforts may include habitat restoration and protection, as well as measures to reduce human impacts on wetland ecosystems.

In conclusion, Tufted Hair-grass is a fascinating and important species of grass with a long history of use and cultural significance. Its ecological importance as a key component of wetland ecosystems underscores the need for conservation and protection of these vital habitats.

Facts about Tufted Hair-grass

Here are some additional interesting facts about Tufted Hair-grass:

Tufted Hair-grass is a popular ornamental grass in gardens and landscaping. Its feathery inflorescence and attractive foliage make it a great choice for adding texture and interest to a garden.
The grass is able to tolerate a wide range of soil types, from sandy to heavy clay soils. It is also able to grow in areas with low nutrient availability, making it well-suited to wetland habitats.
In some areas, Tufted Hair-grass has been used for erosion control and wetland restoration projects. The deep roots of the grass help to stabilize soil and prevent erosion, while the dense growth of the grass can help to filter and absorb excess nutrients and pollutants.
The genus name Deschampsia is named after Louis Auguste Deschamps, a French botanist who lived in the 18th and 19th centuries.
In traditional folklore, Tufted Hair-grass was thought to possess magical properties and was used in spells and rituals to protect against evil spirits and negative energy.
Tufted Hair-grass has a variety of common names, including tussock grass, hair grass, and tufted hairgrass. In some regions, it is also known by specific regional names, such as Yorkshire-fog in the UK and alpine hairgrass in North America.

Overall, Tufted Hair-grass is a fascinating and versatile species with a wide range of ecological and cultural significance. Whether growing in a wetland habitat or gracing a garden bed, this grass is a valuable and important component of many natural and human landscapes.

More Information

Tufted Hair-grass (Deschampsia cespitosa) is a perennial grass that is native to Europe, Asia, and North America. It is commonly found in meadows, marshes, and along riverbanks, and is known for its narrow, pointed leaves and delicate, feathery inflorescence. The grass can grow up to 1.5 meters in height and produces small flowers that turn a light golden color as they mature. The seeds are small and light, with a tuft of hair attached to aid in wind dispersal.

As a wetland species, Tufted Hair-grass plays an important ecological role in stabilizing soil, preventing erosion, and providing cover and nesting sites for birds. The grass is also an important food source for a variety of animals, including elk, deer, and moose. In addition, the seeds of Tufted Hair-grass are an important food source for small mammals, such as voles and mice.

Tufted Hair-grass has a long history of use in traditional medicine, where it has been used to treat a variety of ailments, including headaches, fevers, and stomach disorders. The leaves and stems of the grass have also been used to make tea, which is said to have a calming effect on the nerves.

While Tufted Hair-grass is not considered to be a threatened species, wetland habitats are under threat from habitat loss and degradation due to human activities, such as drainage and land development. As such, it is important to protect and conserve wetland habitats in order to ensure the continued survival of Tufted Hair-grass and other wetland species. Conservation efforts may include habitat restoration and protection, as well as measures to reduce human impacts on wetland ecosystems.

Reproduced by kind permission of the BSBI.

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Tufted Hair-grass

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