SafePlants

Understanding Leaf Morphology in Grasses

This information focuses on the characteristics of grass leaves, particularly the folded leaf trait, and related aspects of grass identification and management.

Considerations for Pets

• Some grasses spread via rhizomes, potentially forming dense sods that might be attractive to pets.

Considerations for Children

• Some grasses have serrated ligules which could potentially cause minor skin irritation.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• The text emphasizes the importance of leaf characteristics in grass identification, specifically whether leaves are folded or rolled.
• A folded leaf is described as having leaves that are folded in the shoot and appear V-shaped in cross-section.
• Some grasses have permanently rolled or folded leaves.
• The leaf sheaths are the part of the leaf that encircles the grass stem.
• Bulliform cells can cause leaves to roll up during water stress.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• The pea family Fabaceae is mentioned in relation to Mimosa pudica.

Distribution and Habitat

• Common Salt-marsh-grass (Puccinellia maritima) is mentioned.

Ecological Role

• Reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) is mentioned, and increased use of this species is limited by its poor seed retention.

Genetic and Cytological Information

• Inheritance of the folded leaf trait in reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) is discussed.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• The text mentions grass or Funnel-Web Spiders (Agelenidae) found on folded leaves.
• Adults of all miners on grasses create rolled or folded leaves or tentiform mines.

Quirky Facts

• Leaves of Grass is a book of poetry.
• Sapphire buffalo grass does not rely on fine leaves for its fine texture, but its folding leaf. When Sapphire buffalo grass is mature, its leaf folds at tight angles.

Further Information

• The UC Guide to Healthy Lawns is mentioned.
• University of Missi extension publication IPM1024 is referenced.