List of Minnesota grasses, sedges, and rushes facts for kids

This article is about special types of plants called graminoids that grow in Minnesota. Graminoids are a group of plants that look a lot like grass. They include true grasses, sedges, and rushes. These plants are super important for Minnesota's environment, providing food and shelter for animals, and helping to keep the soil healthy.

Some of these plants are native to Minnesota, meaning they have grown there naturally for a very long time. Others are introduced, which means they were brought to Minnesota from other places, sometimes on purpose and sometimes by accident.

Grasses You Might See in Minnesota

Grasses are probably the most famous type of graminoid! They have hollow stems and usually grow in open fields or prairies.

Tall and Strong Grasses

• Andropogon gerardi (Big bluestem): This is a very tall, native grass that can grow up to 10 feet! It's a key part of Minnesota's prairies.
• Andropogon hallii (Sand bluestem): Similar to big bluestem, but this one was introduced to Minnesota from other parts of the central United States. It's good at growing in sandy soil.
• Calamovilfa longifolia (Sand reedgrass): A native grass that loves sandy areas, like dunes or sandy prairies.

Common and Widespread Grasses

• Agrostis gigantea (Black bentgrass): This grass was introduced from Europe and Asia. You might see it in fields or disturbed areas.
• Agrostis hyemalis (Winter bentgrass): A native grass that's quite common.
• Agrostis stolonifera (Creeping bentgrass): Another grass introduced from Europe and Asia, often used in lawns and golf courses because it spreads easily.
• Dactylis glomerata (Orchard grass): Introduced from Europe and Asia, this grass often grows in clumps and is common in pastures and meadows.
• Elymus repens (Quackgrass): This grass was introduced from Europe and Asia and can spread very quickly, sometimes becoming a weed.
• Panicum virgatum (Switchgrass): A native grass that's becoming important for things like biofuel because it grows fast and tall.

Grasses with Cool Names

• Bouteloua curtipendula (Sideoats grama): A native grass where the seeds hang off one side of the stem, like little flags!
• Bouteloua gracilis (Blue grama): A beautiful native grass with unique, comb-like seed heads.
• Bromus inermis (Smooth brome): Introduced from Europe and Asia, this grass is often used for hay and pasture.
• Bromus tectorum (Cheatgrass): Introduced from Europe and Asia, this grass can be a problem in some areas because it spreads quickly and can increase wildfire risks.
• Hesperostipa comata (Needle-and-thread grass): A native grass with long, sharp seeds that look like needles with a thread attached.
• Hesperostipa spartea (Porcupine grass): Another native grass with very long, sharp seeds, similar to porcupine quills!
• Schizachyrium scoparium (Little bluestem): A native prairie grass that turns a lovely reddish-brown in the fall.
• Sorghastrum nutans (Indiangrass): A tall, native prairie grass with a golden-brown feathery seed head.
• Spartina pectinata (Prairie cordgrass): A tough, native grass that can grow in wet areas and helps prevent erosion.
• Zizania aquatica (Wild rice): A very important native grass in Minnesota, especially for Indigenous communities. Its grains are harvested for food.
• Zizania palustris (Northern wild rice): Another native wild rice species, similar to Zizania aquatica.

Sedges: The Grass-Like Plants

Sedges often look like grasses, but they have solid, triangular stems (grasses have hollow, round stems). They often grow in wet or marshy areas.

Interesting Sedges

• Carex aquatilis (Water sedge): A native sedge that loves to grow in water, as its name suggests!
• Carex aurea (Golden sedge): A native sedge known for its golden-colored seed heads.
• Carex buxbaumii (Buxbaum's sedge): A native sedge that grows in bogs and wet meadows.
• Carex lupulina (Hop sedge): A native sedge with seed heads that look a bit like hops used in brewing.
• Carex pensylvanica (Oak sedge, Pennsylvania sedge): A common native sedge found in woodlands, often under oak trees.
• Carex rostrata (Beaked sedge): A native sedge with distinctive "beaked" fruits.
• Carex utriculata (Northwest Territory sedge): A native sedge found in wet areas.
• Cladium mariscoides (Smooth sawgrass): A native sedge that can form dense stands in wetlands.
• Cyperus esculentus (Yellow nutsedge): This plant can be native or introduced. It's known for its small, edible tubers (nutlets) that grow underground.

Rushes: Another Green Friend

Rushes are another group of graminoids that also look like grasses or sedges. They usually have round, solid stems and prefer wet habitats.

Rushes of Minnesota

• Juncus canadensis (Canada rush): A native rush found in wet areas across Canada and parts of the U.S.
• Juncus tenuis (Path rush): A very common native rush that often grows along paths and in disturbed, damp soil.
• Luzula acuminata (Hairy woodrush): A native woodrush that has tiny hairs on its leaves.
• Luzula multiflora (Common woodrush): A widespread native woodrush found in many different habitats.