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King's eyelashgrass facts for kids

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King's eyelashgrass
Blepharidachne kingii HC-1950.jpg
Conservation status

Apparently Secure (NatureServe)
Scientific classification
Genus:
Blepharidachne
Species:
kingii

Blepharidachne kingii is a type of grass. It is often called King's eyelashgrass. This grass grows naturally in the Great Basin area of the United States. You can find it in places like pinyon-juniper woodlands. While it is not common in California and Idaho, it grows a lot in the deserts of northeastern Nevada.

What King's Eyelashgrass Looks Like

King's eyelashgrass is a perennial bunchgrass. This means it lives for more than two years. It also grows in clumps or bunches, not as single stems. Its stems can be from 3 to 14 centimeters (about 1 to 5.5 inches) tall.

Leaves and Flowers

The leaves of this grass are thin and stiff. They are also curved and twisted, looking a bit like hairs. Each leaf can be up to 3 centimeters (about 1.2 inches) long.

The plant's flowers grow in a special cluster called an inflorescence. This cluster is a type of panicle. It can be purplish or straw-colored. The small flower parts, called spikelets, are finely hairy.

Where King's Eyelashgrass Grows

King's eyelashgrass lives in dry areas. These include basins and deserts. It often grows alongside other plants. Some of these plants are saltbush and winterfat. You might also find it near creosote bush and ragweed. Other common plants in its habitat are greasewood, hopsage, and boxthorn.

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