Bushy hedgehog grass facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bushy hedgehog grass
Scientific classification
Genus:	Echinopogon
Species:	caespitosus

Echinopogon caespitosus, also known as bushy hedgehog grass or tufted hedgehog grass, is a type of grass found in southeastern Australia. It's a plant that often grows in places where the ground has been changed by people or nature.

What is Bushy Hedgehog Grass?

Bushy hedgehog grass is a plant that belongs to the grass family, called Poaceae. It gets its common names from how it looks. Imagine a hedgehog's bristles, and you'll understand why it's called "hedgehog grass"!

Where Does it Grow?

This grass is native to the southeastern parts of Australia. This means it naturally grows there. You might find it in "disturbed areas." These are places where the soil has been moved or changed. This could be along roadsides, in fields, or even near construction sites.

How Was it Discovered?

The first official sample of bushy hedgehog grass was collected a long time ago. It was found near the Katoomba railway station in 1931. A scientist named Charles Hubbard studied it. He then wrote about it in a scientific book called Icones Plantarum in 1934. This is how new plant species are officially recognized.

What Does it Look Like?

Bushy hedgehog grass can grow quite tall, sometimes up to 1.5 meters (about 5 feet) high. Its most noticeable feature is its flower head. This part is very dense and bristly, which is why it reminds people of a hedgehog.

What Does its Name Mean?

The scientific name, Echinopogon caespitosus, has a special meaning. The word caespitosus comes from Latin. It means "tufted." This describes how the grass often grows in clumps or tufts.

Different Types of Bushy Hedgehog Grass

Scientists have found that there are two main types, or varieties, of bushy hedgehog grass. They are slightly different from each other, but they are still the same species.

• Echinopogon caespitosus var. caespitosus
• Echinopogon caespitosus var. cunninghamii