No images found for this plant ID: 13466.
Ensure images are uploaded to the Media Library and tagged with "13466" in the "plant_image_tag" taxonomy.
dogstail grass
Scientific Name: Cynosurus
Family: Poaceae
Category: Monocot
Growth:
Duration:
Other Names:
Crested Dog's-tail (Cynosurus cristatus)
Crested Dog's-tail, scientifically known as Cynosurus cristatus, is a common perennial grass found in grasslands and meadows. It has also been historically used as a crop for making bonnets.
Considerations for Pets
- This grass is commonly found in sheep pastures.
- Some sources suggest it is used in mixes with other grasses that include onion grass and fern in baskets that may be kept indoors.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Cynosurus cristatus
- Common Names: Crested Dog's-tail, Crested Dogstail, Dogstail Grass
- Family: Poaceae (Grass family)
Distribution and Habitat
- Found in a wide range of swards, especially short and heavily grazed neutral and calcareous grasslands.
- Common in older sheep pastures.
- Occurs naturally in the middle and high Alpine zones.
- Found in Ireland.
Morphological Characteristics
- Short-lived perennial grass.
- Tufted growth habit.
- Wiry grass, typically 15 to 60 cm tall.
- Bright green in color.
- Leaves are flat and smooth, about 2 mm wide.
- Inflorescence is erect, dense, oblong, spike-like, flat-looking, and one-sided.
- Leafy base of flat smooth.
Ecological Role
- It is not considered aggressive and grows well late into the season.
- Serves as a food source for butterfly larvae.
Quirky Facts
- Crested dogstail grass was historically used as a rat.