Letterman's needlegrass facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Achnatherum lettermanii |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Achnatherum
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| Species: |
lettermanii
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| Synonyms | |
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Accepted name = Stipa lettermanii |
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Letterman's needlegrass, also known by its scientific name Achnatherum lettermanii, is a type of grass. Its updated and more common scientific name is Stipa lettermanii. This plant grows naturally in the western parts of the United States. You can find it from California to Montana and New Mexico. It lives in many different kinds of places, from dry plains to mountain areas.
What is Letterman's Needlegrass?
Letterman's needlegrass is a special kind of grass called a bunchgrass. This means it grows in large, dense clumps. It is also a perennial, which means it lives for more than two years. The plant forms tall, upright stems that can reach up to 80 centimeters (about 31 inches) in height.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of Letterman's needlegrass are short and often slightly curly. The plant's flowers grow in a cluster called an inflorescence. This flower cluster can be up to 19 centimeters (about 7.5 inches) long. It has open branches with only a few small flowers, called spikelets.
Spikelets and Awns
Each spikelet is less than one centimeter long. But it has a long, bristle-like part called an awn. This awn can be up to 2.5 centimeters (about 1 inch) long. The awn is interesting because it has two distinct bends or "kinks" in it. These kinks help the seed to burrow into the soil.
