Difference between revisions of "Deschampsia cespitosa"

From Puget Prairie Plants
 
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===Description===
 
===Description===
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Tufted hairgrass is a densely cespitose cool-season native perennial bunchgrass. Culms are hollow, slender, erect, and 8 to 48 inches (20-120 cm) in height.
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Perennial, densely cespitose bunchgrass with culms to 120 cm tall<ref name=":1">USFS Fire Effects Information System. Retrieved from https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/graminoid/desces/all.html</ref> and open to contracted panicles.<ref name=":2">Hitchcock, C. L., Cronquist, A., Giblin, D.,
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& Legler, B. et al. (2018). ''Flora of the Pacific Northwest: an
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Abundant leaves form basal tufts; blades are 0.8 to 13 inches (2-33 cm) long and 0.04 to 0.16 inch (1-4 mm) wide.  
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illustrated manual''. Seattle: University of Washington Press. p. 789.</ref> Leaf sheaths open, glabrous to scabrous; ligules greater than 4 mm long, pubescent, sometimes split;<ref name=":0" /> blades often flat,<ref name=":2" /> to 33 cm long and 1-4 mm wide.<ref name=":1" /> Panicles to 25 cm long; spikelets shiny, purplish, 2 to 3-flowered;<ref name=":0" /> Lemmas 2.5-4 mm long,<ref name=":0" /> 5-nerved, glabrous, smooth, glistening<ref name=":2" />, awned toward base;<ref name=":1" /> lower glumes 1-nerved<ref name=":0" /> 2.7-7 mm long<ref name=":0" />, upper glumes 3-nerved,<ref name=":0" /> 2-7.5 mm long.<ref name=":2" /> Paleas shorter than lemmas.<ref name=":0" /> The fruit is a caryopsis.<ref name=":1" />
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The inflorescence is generally a loose, open panicle, though
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occasionally narrow and contracted; it is 4 to 12 inches (10-30 cm) long. 
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Branches are whorled, hairlike, and spikelet-bearing near their tips.  Spikelets are two- to occasionally three-flowered.  Lemmas are awned toward the base. The fruit is a caryopsis.
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===Bloom Period===
 
===Bloom Period===
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Blooms in June, fruit ripens through summer and fall.
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June-September<ref name=":0">WTU Herbarium, Burke Museum, & University of Washington. Retrieved from http://biology.burke.washington.edu/herbarium/imagecollection/taxon.php?Taxon=Deschampsia%20cespitosa</ref>
  
 
===Distribution===
 
===Distribution===
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Transcontinental Canada, s. to NC, WV, Great Lakes, ND, mts. of NM, AZ & CA
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Widely distributed across Washington; Alaska to California, east across North America.<ref name=":0" />
  
 
===Habitat===
 
===Habitat===
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''Deschampsia cepitosa'' occurrence is circumglobal, extending throughout cooler regions of the northern Hemisphere. In Oregon and Washington, sites with tufted hairgrass include seasonally wet soils in low lying areas of the western interior valleys, tidal mudflats and estuarine plant communities near the coast, poorly drained fields, and moist mountain meadows. It can form nearly pure stands in wet or intermittently flooded areas. The species is highly variable.
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Low to high elevation wetlands, wet meadows and shores to dry, open forests.<ref name=":2" />
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Occurs in fine, medium and coarse soils – sandy loam, sandy clayey loam, silty loam, loam, loamy clay, and clay.  Tufted hairgrass growth is rated fair on sandy loam and good on loam and clayey loam.
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===Uses===
 
===Uses===
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Tufted hairgrass is frequently grazed by bears.  Sitka black-tailed deer and feral horses consume tufted hairgrass. Larval host and/or nectar source for Umber Skipper.  Attracts birds.
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Frequently eaten by bears, Sitka black-tailed deer and feral horses. Umber Skipper nectar source and larval host.<ref name=":1" />
  
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First Nations people report that seeds of Deschampsia species were eaten by indigenous Californians.
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First Nations people report that seeds of Deschampsia species have been eaten by indigenous peoples of California and Utah.<ref>Native American Ethnobotany Database. Retrieved from http://naeb.brit.org/uses/12331/</ref>
  
 
===Propagation===
 
===Propagation===
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Tufted hairgrass can be grown for seed on well drained medium to fine textured soils on uplands as well as on poorly-drained silts and clays in low lying areas. If seasonally flooded areas are to be used for seed production, fields must be firm enough to perform weed control measures and dry enough to windrow and harvest by as early as mid-June (western Oregon). This species is broadly adapted to soils that are acid to neutral (pH 4.5-7.0).
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Tufted hairgrass can be grown for seed on well drained medium to fine textured soils on uplands as well as on poorly-drained silts and clays in low lying areas. If seasonally flooded areas are to be used for seed production, fields must be firm enough to perform weed control measures and dry enough to windrow and harvest by as early as mid-June (western Oregon). This species is broadly adapted to soils that are acid to neutral (pH 4.5-7.0).<ref>USDA Plant Guide. Retrieved from https://plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/pg_deca18.pdf</ref>
  
 
Good results from fall sowing. In a nursery, sow in containers in April on heat (night -15º C, days 20-24º C), germination in 30 days. Cover lightly with soil and screen until germination occurs. Plugs form slowly in about 60 days if kept continually moist and at a constant temperature (S. Bastin, pers. comm.).  
 
Good results from fall sowing. In a nursery, sow in containers in April on heat (night -15º C, days 20-24º C), germination in 30 days. Cover lightly with soil and screen until germination occurs. Plugs form slowly in about 60 days if kept continually moist and at a constant temperature (S. Bastin, pers. comm.).  
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[https://npn.rngr.net/npn/propagation/protocols/poaceae-deschampsia-3867/?searchterm=Deschampsia%20cespitosa Native Plant Network Propagation Protocol]
  
 
===Seed===
 
===Seed===
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*http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=DECE
 
*http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=DECE
 
*http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/graminoid/desces/introductory.html
 
*http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/graminoid/desces/introductory.html
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<references />

Latest revision as of 16:37, 28 June 2021

  • Scientific Name: Deschampsia cespitosa
  • Family: Poaceae
  • Common Names: Bering hair grass, Pacific hair grass, tufted hair grass, Beringian hairgrass, tufted hairgrass
  • Synonyms/Misapplications: Aira caespitosa, Aira holciformis, Deschampsia beringensis, Deschampsia caespitosa, Deschampsia glauca, Deschampsia holciformis
  • Codon: DESCES
Photo by Craig Althen. Also featured on Main Page.

Taxonomy

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Subkingdom: Viridiplantae
Phylum: Tracheophyta
Subphylum: Spermatophytina
Class: Magnoliopsida
Subclass: Lilianae
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Genus: Deschampsia P. Beauv.
Species: Deschampsia cespitosa (L.) P. Beauv.
Synonyms
  • Agrostis caespitosa (L.) Salisb.
  • Aira alpicola (Rydb.) Rydb.
  • Aira ambigua Michx.
  • Aira aristulata Torr.
  • Aira caespitosa Muhl.
  • Aira cespitosa L.
  • Avena caespitosa (L.) Kuntze
  • Campella caespitosa (L.) Link
  • Deschampsia alpicola Rydb.
  • Deschampsia ambigua P. Beauv. ex B.D. Jacks.
  • Deschampsia andina Phil.
  • Deschampsia biebersteiniana Schult.
  • Deschampsia caespitosa (L.) P. Beauv.
  • Deschampsia caespitosa ssp. genuina (Reichenb.) Volk.
  • Deschampsia cespitosa var. confinis Vasey ex Beal
  • Deschampsia cespitosa ssp. genuina (Reichenb.) Volk.
  • Deschampsia cespitosa var. strictior Kurtz
  • Deschampsia confinis (Vasey ex Beal) Rydb.
  • Deschampsia pungens Rydb.
  • Podionapus caespitosus (L.) Dulac

[1]

Description

Perennial, densely cespitose bunchgrass with culms to 120 cm tall[2] and open to contracted panicles.[3] Leaf sheaths open, glabrous to scabrous; ligules greater than 4 mm long, pubescent, sometimes split;[4] blades often flat,[3] to 33 cm long and 1-4 mm wide.[2] Panicles to 25 cm long; spikelets shiny, purplish, 2 to 3-flowered;[4] Lemmas 2.5-4 mm long,[4] 5-nerved, glabrous, smooth, glistening[3], awned toward base;[2] lower glumes 1-nerved[4] 2.7-7 mm long[4], upper glumes 3-nerved,[4] 2-7.5 mm long.[3] Paleas shorter than lemmas.[4] The fruit is a caryopsis.[2]

Bloom Period

June-September[4]

Distribution

Widely distributed across Washington; Alaska to California, east across North America.[4]

Habitat

Low to high elevation wetlands, wet meadows and shores to dry, open forests.[3]

Uses

Frequently eaten by bears, Sitka black-tailed deer and feral horses. Umber Skipper nectar source and larval host.[2]

First Nations people report that seeds of Deschampsia species have been eaten by indigenous peoples of California and Utah.[5]

Propagation

Tufted hairgrass can be grown for seed on well drained medium to fine textured soils on uplands as well as on poorly-drained silts and clays in low lying areas. If seasonally flooded areas are to be used for seed production, fields must be firm enough to perform weed control measures and dry enough to windrow and harvest by as early as mid-June (western Oregon). This species is broadly adapted to soils that are acid to neutral (pH 4.5-7.0).[6]

Good results from fall sowing. In a nursery, sow in containers in April on heat (night -15º C, days 20-24º C), germination in 30 days. Cover lightly with soil and screen until germination occurs. Plugs form slowly in about 60 days if kept continually moist and at a constant temperature (S. Bastin, pers. comm.).

Can be very aggressive. Leave room to spread or control in place. Doesn't tolerate transplanting unless well-rooted (S. Bastin, pers. comm.).


Native Plant Network Propagation Protocol

Seed

Average Measurement with husk/awn: 3.4 x 0.8 x 0.8

Average Measurement without husk/awn: 1.8 x 0.6 x 0.6

Measurement Range with husk/awn: L: 2.5 – 4.5, W: 0.5 – 1, D: 0.6 – 1

Measurement Range with husk/awn: L: 1.5 – 2, W: 0.5 – 0.75, D: 0.5 – 0.6

Features

Shape: Seed narrow at hilum and opposite apex, rounded in the middle.

Additional Structures: Lemma thin, and have several nerves running across them. Awn originates from the hilum and is about 1 ½ times the length of the seed body. Hilum bearded with feather like appendage. Palea also thin.

Color: Tan palea and lemma, awn slightly darker brown. Inner seed red-brown, and somewhat transparent.

Surface: Seed finely longitudinally striate and lustrous. Awn finely barbed.

Latitudinal Cross Section: elliptical DECE lat.png

Longitudinal Cross Section: elliptical DECE long.png

Photo Gallery

  • Photo by Craig Althen, 2010

References

  1. ↑ Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved from https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=502001
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 USFS Fire Effects Information System. Retrieved from https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/graminoid/desces/all.html
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Hitchcock, C. L., Cronquist, A., Giblin, D., & Legler, B. et al. (2018). Flora of the Pacific Northwest: an illustrated manual. Seattle: University of Washington Press. p. 789.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 WTU Herbarium, Burke Museum, & University of Washington. Retrieved from http://biology.burke.washington.edu/herbarium/imagecollection/taxon.php?Taxon=Deschampsia%20cespitosa
  5. ↑ Native American Ethnobotany Database. Retrieved from http://naeb.brit.org/uses/12331/
  6. ↑ USDA Plant Guide. Retrieved from https://plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/pg_deca18.pdf
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