Pinewoods needlegrass facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Achnatherum pinetorum |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Achnatherum
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| Species: |
pinetorum
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| Synonyms | |
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Stipa pinetorum |
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Achnatherum pinetorum is a type of grass often called pinewoods needlegrass or pine needlegrass. You can find it growing naturally across much of the western United States. This includes places like California, Montana, and New Mexico. It likes to grow in forests and woodlands, especially in rocky mountain areas.
What Pinewoods Needlegrass Looks Like
Pinewoods needlegrass is a perennial bunchgrass. This means it lives for many years and grows in tight clumps, like a small bush of grass. Its stems usually stand straight up and can be between 10 and 50 centimeters (about 4 to 20 inches) tall.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of this grass are very thin, almost like hairs, and are less than a millimeter wide.
The plant's flower cluster, called an inflorescence, can be up to 20 centimeters (about 8 inches) long. It has many branches, but these branches stay close to the main stalk. Each tiny flower part, called a spikelet, is covered in long, thick hairs. It also has a long, stiff bristle called an awn, which can be up to 2.5 centimeters (about 1 inch) long. This awn is special because it has two bends or kinks in it.
