Needlegrass facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Needlegrass
Nassella tenuissima
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Clade:	Commelinids
Order:	Poales
Family:	Poaceae
Subfamily:	Pooideae
Supertribe:	Stipodae
Tribe:	Stipeae
Genus:	Nassella E. Desv.
Type species
Nassella pungens Desv.
Species
Many, see text

Nassella, also known as needlegrass, is a group of over 100 types of bunchgrasses. These plants grow in clumps and are found across the New World, from North America all the way to South America. The name Nassella comes from a Latin word meaning "a basket with a narrow neck."

Scientists usually consider Nassella to be a separate group from the Stipa genus. Many species that used to be called Stipa are now part of Nassella. However, some plant guides, like The Jepson Manual (as of 2011), still include Nassella within Stipa.

Nassella plants have special features on their seeds. The edges of the seed's outer layer, called the lemma, overlap strongly. They also have a small, thin inner layer called a palea that doesn't have veins. The very tip of the lemma forms a short, fused membrane called a "crown," which usually has tiny hairs around its edge.

These grasses can reproduce in two ways. Some flowers are pollinated by other plants (cross-pollinating). These have three longer anthers, which are the parts that hold pollen. Other flowers can pollinate themselves (self-pollinating). These have one to three smaller anthers. Some species even have hidden self-pollinating flowers inside their lower leaves. These hidden flowers usually don't have glumes (leaf-like parts) or awns (bristle-like parts).

Many Types of Needlegrass

As of 2001, there were about 116 different kinds of plants in the Nassella group.

Needlegrass in California

California is home to several important Nassella species.

• Nassella pulchra – This is known as purple needlegrass. It is now sometimes called Stipa pulchra.

• This grass is native to California. It used to be very common in California's grasslands. However, invasive European grasses have taken over many areas. The seeds of purple needlegrass were an important food for many Native American groups in California. Today, this bunchgrass is the official State Grass of California. It helps restore native grasslands and stops soil from washing away (erosion control).

• Nassella lepida – This is called foothill needlegrass. It is also sometimes reclassified as Stipa lepida.

• This bunchgrass grows naturally in California and Baja California in Mexico.

• Nassella cernua – Known as nodding needlegrass, it is sometimes reclassified as Stipa cernua.

• This native bunchgrass is found in California, northwestern Mexico, and the Western United States.

Popular Garden Needlegrass

Some Nassella species are grown in gardens because they look nice.

• Nassella tenuissima – This plant is called Mexican feathergrass.

• It is an attractive bunchgrass that doesn't need much water. It has thin leaves and a narrow flower cluster that sways gently in the wind. However, it can easily spread from gardens. It grows in disturbed areas, natural spaces, and even in cracks in sidewalks. Mexican feathergrass is considered an invasive species in California and Oregon. This means it can harm local plants and ecosystems.

Other Needlegrass Species

Here are a few other types of Nassella found around the world:

• Nassella chilensis – Chilean tussockgrass
• Nassella hyalina – spear grass
• Nassella leucotricha – Texas wintergrass
• Nassella manicata – Andean tussockgrass, tropical needlegrass
• Nassella trichotoma – serrated tussockgrass, Yass River tussockgrass
• Nassella viridula – green needlegrass

See also

In Spanish: Nassella para niños