Difference between revisions of "Deschampsia cespitosa"

From Puget Prairie Plants
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==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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==Uses==
 
==Uses==
 
==Propagation==
 
==Propagation==

Revision as of 13:12, 7 May 2012

Deschampsia cespitosa, commonly called tufted hairgrass, is a native perennial, tussock- forming grass. It is also called Beringian grass.

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


Taxonomy

  • Kingdom Plantae – plants
  • Subkingdom Viridaeplantae – green plants
  • Division Tracheophyta – vascular plants
  • Subdivision Spermatophytina – seed plants,
  • Infradivision Angiospermae – flowering plants
  • Class Magnoliopsida
  • Superorder Lilianae – monocotyledons
  • Order Poales
  • Family Poaceae – grasses
  • Genus Deschampsia P. Beauv. – hairgrass
  • SpeciesDeschampsia cespitosa (L.) P. Beauv. – tufted hairgrass

Description

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. 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. The inflorescence is generally a loose, open panicle, though occasionally narrow and contracted; it is 4 to 12 inches (10-30 cm) long. 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.

Bloom Period

Blooms in June, fruit ripens through summer and fall.

Distribution

Transcontinental Canada, s. to NC, WV, Great Lakes, ND, mts. of NM, AZ & CA

Habitat

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.

Uses

Propagation

Photo Gallery

References

Seed

Abbreviation: DECE

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