List of grasses of Puerto Rico facts for kids

Grasses are amazing plants that you see almost everywhere! They belong to a big plant family called Poaceae. In Puerto Rico, grasses are the largest group of flowering plants. There are 258 different kinds of grasses found on the island. This means that about 9 out of every 100 flowering plants in Puerto Rico is a grass! They also make up one-third of all monocots, which are plants that have one seed leaf.

What Are Grasses?

Grasses might seem simple, but they are very important! They are a special type of plant that usually has long, narrow leaves. Their stems are often hollow. Grasses grow all over the world, from cold mountains to hot deserts. They are a key part of many ecosystems.

Why Are Grasses Important?

Grasses play a huge role in our lives and in nature.

• Food for us: Many of the foods we eat every day come from grasses. Think about rice, corn, and wheat! These are all types of grasses.
• Food for animals: Animals like cows, sheep, and horses eat grass. Even many small insects and birds rely on grasses for food.
• Protecting the soil: Grasses have strong roots that hold the soil in place. This helps stop erosion, which is when soil is washed away by wind or rain.
• Habitats: Many animals make their homes in grassy areas. From tiny insects to larger animals, grasslands provide shelter and a safe place to live.
• Building materials: Some grasses, like bamboo, are used to build houses, furniture, and other things.
• Beauty: Grasses make our parks, lawns, and sports fields green and beautiful!

Grasses in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is home to a wide variety of grasses. With 258 different species, they are the biggest group of flowering plants on the island. These grasses grow in many different places, from sandy beaches to mountain forests. They help keep the island's ecosystem healthy and support a lot of wildlife.

Some common types of grasses you might find in Puerto Rico include:

• Andropogon
• Bambusa (bamboo)
• Cenchrus (sandbur)
• Cynodon (Bermuda grass)
• Echinochloa (barnyard grass)
• Eleusine indica (goosegrass)
• Panicum
• Paspalum
• Saccharum officinarum (sugarcane)
• Setaria
• Sorghum
• Sporobolus
• Zea mays (corn)

These are just a few examples of the many grass species that thrive in Puerto Rico's warm climate.