Small-leaf bentgrass facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Small-leaf bentgrass |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Agrostis
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| Species: |
microphylla
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| Synonyms | |
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Agrostis aristiglumis |
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Agrostis microphylla, also called small-leaf bentgrass, is a type of grass. It grows naturally in western North America. You can find it from the Aleutian Islands all the way south to Baja California in Mexico. This grass likes to grow in special places. These include cliffs near the coast, mountain slopes with serpentine rock, and temporary ponds called vernal pools.
Contents
What is Small-Leaf Bentgrass?
Small-leaf bentgrass is an annual plant. This means it completes its whole life cycle in one year. It grows from a seed, flowers, produces new seeds, and then dies. It is also a bunchgrass, which means it grows in clumps or bunches. This grass can grow up to about half a meter tall. That's about 20 inches, or the length of a typical school ruler twice over!
How Does It Look?
The plant has a flower cluster called an inflorescence. This part looks like a dense cylinder and can be up to 12 centimeters (about 5 inches) long. The tiny flowers, called spikelets, are very narrow and pointed. They can be yellowish, greenish, or even purplish in color. This makes them blend in with the natural environment.
Where Does Small-Leaf Bentgrass Grow?
Agrostis microphylla is native to many parts of western North America. Its natural home stretches across a wide area.
North American Range
You can find this grass in the Aleutian Islands, which are part of Alaska. It also grows in British Columbia in Canada. In the United States, it is found in Oregon, Washington, and California. Further south, it grows in Baja California in northwestern Mexico. This wide range shows how adaptable this small grass is to different environments.
