False Rhodes grass facts for kids
Quick facts for kids False Rhodes grass |
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T. crinita
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| Trichloris crinita (Lag.) Parodi
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Chloris crinita |
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Trichloris crinita is a type of grass often called false Rhodes grass. It grows naturally in North and South America. You can find it in the southwestern United States, northern Mexico, and parts of Argentina.
Contents
What is False Rhodes Grass?
False Rhodes grass is a perennial grass. This means it lives for more than two years. It can grow quite tall, reaching up to 1 meter (about 3 feet) high.
How Does It Grow and Spread?
Sometimes, this grass spreads using special stems called stolons. These stolons grow along the ground and can form new plants. This helps the grass cover more area.
The leaves of false Rhodes grass can be up to 20 centimeters (about 8 inches) long. They are also about 1 centimeter (less than half an inch) wide. The leaves often feel a bit rough to the touch.
Its Flowers and Seeds
The flowers of this grass grow in a cluster called a panicle. This panicle can have up to 20 branches that are arranged in tight groups. Each branch can be up to 15 centimeters (about 6 inches) long.
Along these branches, you'll find many tiny groups of flowers called spikelets. Each spikelet usually has one flower that can make seeds. It also has one or two other small flowers that don't produce seeds.
Where Does False Rhodes Grass Live?
This grass is native to the Americas. It is commonly found in dry plains, especially in Argentina. In the United States, it grows in states like Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. It also grows in Mexican states such as Chihuahua and Sonora.
How Is False Rhodes Grass Used?
False Rhodes grass is very useful, especially in dry areas.
Food for Animals
In Argentina, this grass is a common "forage grass." This means it is a good food source for grazing animals like cattle. It helps them stay healthy in areas where other plants might not grow well.
Helping Land Recover
In the United States, false Rhodes grass is used for "range revegetation." This means it helps regrow plants in dry, open areas that might have lost their natural plant cover. It helps make the land healthy again.
