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silkybent

Scientific Name: Apera

Family: Poaceae

Category: Monocot

Growth:

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Loose Silky Bent Grass: A Comprehensive Overview

This page provides information about Loose Silky Bent Grass, a plant known for its delicate and feathery flower heads. It is also sometimes referred to as Wind Grass.

Considerations for Pets

  • This grass produces numerous small seeds.

Considerations for Children

  • This grass produces numerous small seeds.

Scientific Name and Common Names

  • Scientific Name: Apera spica-venti (L.) Beauv.
  • Common Names: Loose Silky Bent Grass, Silky Bent Grass, Wind Grass, Dense Silky-bent, Common Windgrass

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Family: Poaceae (Grass family)
  • Synonyms: Agrostis spica-venti, Apera interrupta (for Dense Silky-bent), Agrostis interrupta (synonym for Apera interrupta), Anemagrostis interrupta (synonym for Apera interrupta)
  • Taxonomic Rank: Species

Distribution and Habitat

  • Loose Silky Bent Grass is found in Europe, particularly central and eastern regions.
  • It has been naturalized in the eastern U.S., and is present in BC and ON, and the Northwestern United States.
  • It is often found in waste ground, arable fields on light dry soils.

Ecological Role

  • Apera spica-venti is considered a competitive grass weed, especially in winter annual cereals.
  • Infestation rates have increased in Europe.

Morphological Characteristics

  • It is an annual or biannual panicle grass.
  • Foliage is greenish purple, flat, and rough.
  • Sheath is smooth with no hairs.
  • Stems can be sturdy or slim.
  • The plant typically grows to a height of 30-60 cm.
  • Flower heads are delicate and feathery, appearing in June-July and June-August.
  • Small one-flowered spikelets (approx. 2.5-3 mm long) are arranged in a large pyramidal panicle.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Apera spica-venti can host the Wheat dwarf monogeminivirus (WDV).
  • It is a weed in wheat crops.

Herbicide Resistance

  • Herbicide resistance in Apera spica-venti populations is a growing concern and has been studied in various regions, including Belgium and Switzerland.

Quirky Facts

  • The plant is also known as "Wind Grass" and can be dried and used as a winter decoration.

Further Information

  • Additional information can be found at the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) regarding Apera interrupta.
  • Discover Life provides details about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Apera spica-venti.