Deschampsia flexuosa

Contents 1 Introduction 2 Habitat and distribution 3 Physical description 4 Associated invertebrates 5 References 6 External links

Introduction

Deschampsia flexuosa (L.) Trin. (syn. Avenella flexuosa L.; Lerchenfeldia flexuosa (L.) Schur) or Wavy Hair-grass is a species of bunchgrass in the Poaceae family with a Holarctic distribution.

Habitat and distribution

It is found naturally in dry grassland and on moors and heaths.

It is also an important component of the ground flora of birch and oak woodland - see British NVC community W11 (Quercus petraea–Betula pubescens–Oxalis acetosella woodland) and British NVC community W16 (Quercus spp.–Betula spp.–Deschampsia flexuosa woodland). See Woodland and scrub communities in the British National Vegetation Classification system.

It has a preference for acidic, free-draining soil, and avoids chalk and limestone areas. It can exist over 1,200 metres (3,900 ft) above sea level.^[1]

Physical description

Wavy hair-grass has wiry leaves and delicate, shaking panicles formed of silvery or purplish-brown flower heads on wavy, hair-like stalks. The leaves are bunched in tight tufts with plants forming a very tussocky, low sward 5 to 20 cm tall before flowering, to 30cm height after flowering. It flowers from June until July.

Associated invertebrates

Wavy hair-grass is one of the grass species on which the Wall Brown butterfly lays its eggs. The Sun beetle is also associated with the plant.

References

1. ^ BSBI Description retrieved 1 December 2010.

External links

• Sky flora