Seashore bentgrass facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Seashore bentgrass |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Agrostis
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| Species: |
pallens
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Agrostis pallens is a type of grass often called seashore bentgrass. It's a tough plant that grows in many different places across western North America. This grass is known for its ability to grow in dry areas, making it a common sight in meadows and woodlands.
Where Does Seashore Bentgrass Grow?
Seashore bentgrass is found naturally in western North America. You can see it from British Columbia in Canada, all the way down to California in the United States. It also grows in places like Montana.
This grass likes to live in many different environments. It often grows in open fields, forests, and even high up in mountain areas. It prefers dry places, which helps it survive in various habitats.
What Does Seashore Bentgrass Look Like?
Seashore bentgrass is a bunchgrass, meaning it grows in clumps. It is a perennial, so it lives for more than two years. The grass can grow to be about 10 to 70 centimeters (4 to 28 inches) tall. Sometimes, it has underground stems called rhizomes that help it spread.
Its leaves are usually flat or rolled inwards. They are about 1.5 to 5 centimeters (0.6 to 2 inches) long and 1 to 6 millimeters (0.04 to 0.24 inches) wide. At the base of the leaf, there's a small flap called a ligule, which is about 1.5 to 3 millimeters long.
Flowers and Seeds
The flowers of the seashore bentgrass grow in a cluster called an inflorescence. This cluster is shaped like a spear or a bit oval, and it can be 5 to 20 centimeters (2 to 8 inches) long.
Each tiny flower has protective leaf-like parts. The outer parts are called glumes, and they are about 2 to 3 millimeters long. Inside, there's another part called the lemma, which is 1.5 to 2.5 millimeters long. Sometimes, the lemma has a stiff bristle called an awn, which can be 0.5 to 2.5 centimeters (0.2 to 1 inch) long.
The grass usually blooms in the spring, from April into May. You can find this grass growing at different heights, from about 200 meters (650 feet) up to 3,500 meters (11,500 feet) above sea level.
