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slender hairgrass

Scientific Name: Deschampsia elongata

Family: Poaceae

Category: Monocot

Growth: Graminoid

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Slender Hairgrass (Deschampsia elongata)

Slender hairgrass, scientifically known as Deschampsia elongata, is a native bunchgrass found in western North America. It is also referred to simply as slender hairgrass.

Considerations for Pets

  • Slender hairgrass has thin, soft stems and leaves.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Deschampsia elongata (Hook.) Munro
  • Common Name: Slender hairgrass, Slender Hair Grass
  • Family: Poaceae (Grass family)
  • Genus: Deschampsia
  • Species: elongata

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to western North America, ranging from Alaska to Wyoming.
  • Recorded rarely elsewhere on the continent.
  • Found in partly-shaded, moist areas.
  • Observed in locations such as Claremont Canyon restoration area, Oakland, CA, and Sacramento County: Cosumnes River.

Ecological Role

  • Useful for erosion control along waterways, ditches, and streambanks.
  • Acts as a nurse crop for slower-establishing species.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Moderate to fast-growing native bunchgrass.
  • Cool-season, fine-textured grass.
  • Acts as a biennial or short-lived perennial.
  • Grows 25 to 80 cm tall from fibrous roots.
  • Produces a small mound of dainty, fine-textured green grass.
  • Upright tufts green up early in spring.
  • Disappears in summer, dropping to a faint brown.

Further Information

  • USDA Plants Database: http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=deel
  • Encyclopedia of Life
  • Discover Life: Discover Life's page about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification and distribution of Deschampsia elongata