Deschampsia cespitosa, commonly known as tufted hairgrass or tussock grass,[1] is a perennial tufted plant in the grass family Poaceae.[2] The distribution of this species is widespread, with it being native to North America, Central Africa, eastern Australia and Eurasia and being introduced to South Africa, South Australia and South America.
| Deschampsia cespitosa | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Poaceae |
| Subfamily: | Pooideae |
| Genus: | Deschampsia |
| Species: | D. cespitosa
|
| Binomial name | |
| Deschampsia cespitosa | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Deschampsia caespitosa | |
Description
editA distinguishing feature is the upper surface of the leaf blade which feels rough and can cut in one direction, but is smooth in the opposite direction. The dark green upper sides of the leaves are deeply grooved.
It can grow to 4.5 ft (1.4 m) tall, and has a long, narrow, pointed ligule.[3] It flowers from June until August.
Habitat and ecology
editIt can be found on all types of grassland, although it prefers poorly drained soil. It forms a major component of the British NVC community MG9 - Holcus lanatus to Deschampsia cespitosa mesotrophic grasslands. It can exist up to altitudes of 4000 ft.[4] Typical native grass associates in the western North American coastal prairies, such as the California coastal prairie, are Festuca californica, Festuca idahoensis, Danthonia californica, and Nassella pulchra.
It is a larval host to the Juba skipper (Hesperia juba) and the umber skipper (Lon melane).[5]
Subspecies
edit- Deschampsia cespitosa subsp. cespitosa (synonyms: Deschampsia bottnica (Wahlenb.) Trin.; Deschampsia littoralis (Gaudin) Reut.)[6]
Horticulture
editThe species is cultivated as an ornamental garden plant, and numerous cultivars are available. The cultivars 'Goldschleier' and 'Goldtau' [7] have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[8][9]
Gallery
edit-
Seed -
Ligule is long and pointed
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Deschampsia caespitosa (L.) P.Beauv. record n° 50145". African Plants Database. South African National Biodiversity Institute, the Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques de la Ville de Genève and Tela Botanica. Archived from the original on 2013-01-01. Retrieved 2008-05-13.
- ^ Jepson Manual. 1993
- ^ "Identification Resources", BSBI Archived 2011-07-17 at the Wayback Machine Identification Resources website
- ^ Grasses by C E Hubbard, 1978, published by Penguin books
- ^ The Xerces Society (2016), Gardening for Butterflies: How You Can Attract and Protect Beautiful, Beneficial Insects, Timber Press.
- ^ "Deschampsia cespitosa subsp. cespitosa | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ "Deschampsia cespitosa 'Goldtau'". RHS. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
- ^ "RHS Plantfinder - Deschampsia cespitosa 'Goldschleier'". Retrieved 12 January 2018.
- ^ "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 16. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
External links
edit