Hair grass facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hair grass |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Agrostis
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| Species: |
scabra
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| Synonyms | |
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Agrostis geminata |
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Agrostis scabra is a common type of grass. People know it by many names, like hair grass, rough bent, rough bent grass, winter bent grass, and ticklegrass.
This grass is special because it can act like a tumbleweed. It is also a bunchgrass, meaning it grows in clumps. Agrostis scabra originally comes from Asia and a large part of North America. It has also spread to many other places around the world. When a plant grows somewhere it didn't start, it's called an introduced species.
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What is Hair Grass?
Hair grass, or Agrostis scabra, is a plant from the grass family. It gets its common names because its leaves can feel a bit rough, like tiny hairs. This grass is a perennial plant, which means it lives for more than two years. It grows in clumps, forming a "bunch."
When the plant is dry, especially in windy places, it can break off from its roots. Then, it rolls across the ground like a tumbleweed. This helps it spread its seeds far and wide.
Where Does Hair Grass Grow?
Hair grass is found in many places across North America. You can see it in most parts of the United States, except for some areas in the Southeast. It also grows in most of Canada, but not in the very far northern regions.
This tough grass can be found in Mexico and California. It stretches all the way across Alaska to eastern Asia, reaching as far south as Korea.
It can live in many different environments. From warm areas near the coast to very cold, high mountain regions with an alpine climate. An alpine climate is like the weather you find on tall mountains, where it's often cold and windy.
What Does Hair Grass Look Like?
Agrostis scabra usually grows upright, reaching about 75 centimeters tall. That's almost as tall as a typical 12-year-old! Its leaves are rough to the touch. They have tiny hairs and can grow up to about 14 centimeters long.
The plant's flowers grow in a wide, open cluster called an inflorescence. This cluster has thin, spreading branches. On these branches are tiny seed heads, called spikelets, which are only a few millimeters long.
How is Hair Grass Used?
This grass is very strong and can grow in tough places. Because it can handle cold alpine climates, it's useful for helping land recover. For example, it can be planted on land that has been disturbed. This might be after a natural event or human activity.
Agrostis scabra is known to grow where few other plants can. It can even grow on old coal mine sites. It also thrives in soils that have been polluted with things like sulfur, copper, and nickel. This makes it a helpful plant for cleaning up or restoring damaged areas.
