Alpine cat's-tail facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Alpine cat's-tail |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Phleum
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| Species: |
alpinum
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Phleum alpinum is a type of grass that grows in many cool, mountainous parts of the world. It's often called alpine cat's-tail, alpine timothy, or mountain timothy. This grass is known for its tall, clumpy growth and its unique flower head.
Where This Grass Grows
Phleum alpinum grows in many places around the world. It is found in the northern parts of the Northern Hemisphere, which means areas like North America, Europe, and Asia. This grass also grows south through North and South America. You can even find it on cold islands near the South Pole, like South Georgia Island. On South Georgia Island, it's one of the most common plants!
What This Grass Looks Like
Phleum alpinum is a perennial bunchgrass. This means it lives for more than two years and grows in clumps, not as a single plant. These clumps can be anywhere from 20 to 60 centimeters (about 8 to 24 inches) tall.
The Flower Head
The top part of the grass, where the seeds are, is called the inflorescence. For Phleum alpinum, this part looks like a cylinder or an oval. It can be up to 6 centimeters (about 2.4 inches) long and 1.2 centimeters (about 0.5 inches) wide. This flower head is made up of many small parts called spikelets.
See also
In Spanish: Phleum alpinum para niños
