Danthonia decumbens
| Danthonia decumbens | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Monocots |
| (unranked): | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Poaceae |
| Genus: | Danthonia |
| Species: | D. decumbens |
| Binomial name | |
| Danthonia decumbens (L.) DC. | |
Danthonia decumbens (formerly Sieglingia decumbens) is a species of grass commonly known as common heath grass. It is a bunchgrass native to Europe.
The plant is found on acid pastures and heathland, on sandy or peat soils, which are also often damp.
Description
Danthonia decumbens is a perennial with a decumbent habit; it lies on the ground with the tips turned upward.
It has narrow, bright green leaves taper to a sharp point and are rather hairy. A long upper leaf sheath clasps the delicate stem. The stem is 15-30 cm high and slightly bent at the base, smooth with 1 to 3 nodes.
The ligule consists of a ring of hairs, as in Purple Moor Grass (Molinia caerulea), except that in this plant each end has a fringe of hairs.
The panicle consists of 4 or 5 large erect glaucous silvery green or purplish awnless spikelets. These are arranged alternately on the upper part of the stem. The bunchgrass flowers in the summer months.
- Uses
The grass, having no domestic forage value, is not grown agriculturally. [1]
References
- ↑ Grasses by C E Hubbard, 1978, published by Penguin books
- Stace, C, 1997. New Flora of the British Isles. Second edition. p 899.
- Rose, Frances, 1974. Grasses, sedges and rushes, pages 20-21
Gallery
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inflorescence,
Spikelets arranged alternately on the stem -
habitus, aerie,
Photo by Kristian Peters -
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Danthonia decumbens - MHNT
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Danthonia decumbens. |