Crested dog's tail facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Crested dog's tail |
|
|---|---|
.jpg) |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Cynosurus
|
| Species: |
cristatus
|
Cynosurus cristatus, also known as the crested dog's tail, is a type of grass. It's a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years. You can recognize it by its unique seed head, which is flat on one side. This grass often grows in rich grasslands. It likes many kinds of soil, but not very acidic or very chalky ones. It also prefers soil that drains water well. Sometimes, people even grow it in gardens because it looks nice.
Contents
What Does Crested Dog's Tail Look Like?
This grass is a perennial plant. It grows in small clumps and has thin stems. These stems are usually about 15 to 45 centimeters (6 to 18 inches) tall. The plant has many leaves near its base. This makes it good for animals like sheep to eat.
The plant's flower parts are called spikelets. Some spikelets can produce seeds, while others cannot. They are mixed together in the same cluster. These spikelets are shaped like wedges or are oblong. They are about 3 to 6 millimeters long and have 2 to 5 flowers each.
The ligule is a small flap where the leaf meets the stem. In crested dog's tail, this ligule is blunt, meaning it has a rounded end. The leaves are folded when they are still inside the shoot.
The leaves themselves are pointed at the tip. They are flat, not shaped like a boat. The bottom side of the leaf is smooth and shiny. It also has a raised ridge, like the keel of a boat. The top side of the leaf has small ridges. Other grasses with shiny leaves include Lolium perenne and Poa trivialis.
Where Does Crested Dog's Tail Grow?
You can find crested dog's tail in most parts of Europe. It also grows in Southwest Asia. People have brought it to North America, Australia, and New Zealand. It grows from sea level up to about 600 meters (2000 feet) high. It can grow in many different types of soil.
When Does It Flower?
This grass flowers from May to August. This is when its seeds start to form.
How Is Crested Dog's Tail Used?
Sheep like to eat this grass because it has many leaves at its base. It can handle cold weather and dry spells. It stays green even during the winter months. Young leaves are a favorite food for cattle and sheep. However, these animals usually leave the stiff, hard stems alone.
In the past, people used this grass for weaving. They would braid its stems to make hats and other similar items.
Crested dog's tail is also a food source for certain butterflies. These include butterflies from the skipper butterfly and brown butterfly families.
