Achnatherum aridum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Achnatherum aridum |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Achnatherum
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| Species: |
aridum
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| Synonyms | |
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Stipa arida |
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Mormon needlegrass, scientifically known as Achnatherum aridum, is a type of grass. You can find this special plant growing naturally in the southwestern United States. Its home stretches from the dry Mojave Desert in California all the way east to Colorado and New Mexico.
What is Mormon Needlegrass?
Mormon needlegrass is a tough plant that grows in high desert areas. It likes places with scrub bushes and woodlands, usually at higher elevations. This grass grows in clumps, forming neat bunches of stems. It is a perennial plant, which means it lives for more than two years. It doesn't spread with underground stems called rhizomes.
How Tall Does It Grow?
The bunches of stems can grow quite tall, reaching up to about 85 centimetres (33 in) (around 33 inches). This makes it stand out among other desert plants.
Its Unique Flowers
The flowers of Mormon needlegrass grow in a special cluster called an inflorescence. This cluster is shaped like a panicle, which looks a bit like a branched pyramid. Sometimes, part of this flower cluster is tucked inside the narrow top leaf of the plant.
The tiny flower parts, called spikelets, have long, hair-like parts called awns. These awns can be quite long, measuring between 4–8 centimetres (1.6–3.1 in) (about 1.5 to 3 inches). These long awns help the seeds to spread and attach to things.
