Mountain oatgrass facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mountain oatgrass |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Danthonia
|
| Species: |
compressa
|
Danthonia compressa is a type of grass often called mountain oatgrass, flattened oatgrass, or slender oatgrass. It's a special kind of grass that grows in clumps, known as a bunchgrass.
Where It Grows
This grass is originally from eastern North America. You can find it in places like eastern Canada and the Eastern United States. When you go further south, it mostly grows in the high parts of the Appalachian Mountains. These high areas are called high elevations.
What It Looks Like
Danthonia compressa is a perennial grass, which means it lives for many years. It grows in clumps, like a small bush of grass. Its stems are thin and look a bit flattened. They can grow up to about 80 centimeters (about 31 inches) long. Sometimes, these stems might even lie down on the ground.
Most of the leaves on this grass grow near the bottom of the stems. The flowers of the grass grow in a cluster called an inflorescence. This cluster is shaped like a panicle, which looks a bit like a pyramid. It can have up to 17 small flower parts, called spikelets. Each spikelet has a short, bent bristle, which is called an awn.
How It Makes New Plants
This grass can make new plants in two main ways. First, it produces seeds, which can grow into new plants. Second, it can sprout new stems from little buds found at the bottom of its existing stems. This helps the grass spread and grow in new spots.
Where It Lives and What It Does
Mountain oatgrass likes to grow in oak and hickory forests. You can also find it in open woods and meadows. It's a very common grass on special grassy areas in the southern Appalachians called grassy balds.
In these grassy balds, it often grows with other plants like:
- Redtop (Agrostis gigantea)
- Timothy (Phleum pratense)
- Canada bluegrass (Poa compressa)
- Kentucky bluegrass (P. pratensis)
- Red fescue (Festuca rubra)
- Five-fingers (Potentilla canadensis)
- Sheep sorrel (Rumex acetosella)
This grass is a very important plant in the Great Smoky Mountains. It is a dominant species there, meaning it's one of the most common and important plants in that area. Sometimes, it can even grow as a weed in farm fields.
