''Koeleria macrantha'' is a species of

grass Poaceae ( ), also called Gramineae ( ), is a large and nearly ubiquitous family (biology), family of monocotyledonous flowering plants commonly known as grasses. It includes the cereal grasses, bamboos, the grasses of natural grassland and spe ...

known by the common name prairie Junegrass in North America and crested hair-grass in the UK. It is widespread across much of

Eurasia Eurasia ( , ) is a continental area on Earth, comprising all of Europe and Asia. According to some geographers, Physical geography, physiographically, Eurasia is a single supercontinent. The concept of Europe and Asia as distinct continents d ...

and

North America North America is a continent in the Northern Hemisphere, Northern and Western Hemisphere, Western hemispheres. North America is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the southeast by South Ameri ...

. It occurs in many habitat types.

Description

''Koeleria macrantha'' is a short, tuft-forming perennial

bunchgrass Tussock grasses or bunch grasses are a group of grass species in the family Poaceae. They usually grow as singular plants in clumps, tufts, hummocks, or bunches, rather than forming a sod or lawn, in meadows, grasslands, and prairies. As perennia ...

, reaching heights from . The leaves are basal and up to about long with a blue-green color. The

inflorescence In botany, an inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a plant's Plant stem, stem that is composed of a main branch or a system of branches. An inflorescence is categorized on the basis of the arrangement of flowers on a mai ...

is nearly cylindrical and may taper somewhat toward the tip. It holds shiny tan spikelets which are sometimes tinted with purple, each about half a centimetre long. Its fruit is a grain that breaks once it has fully ripened.

Distribution and habitat

Koeleria ''macrantha'' is widespread across much of

and

. It is a plant that prefers cooler seasons such as early spring or fall. It grows mostly in rocky or sandy, well-drained areas within forests or plains. It prefers more direct sunlight over partially shaded areas. It has the ability to grow at elevations of above sea level. It often surfaces in

prairie Prairies are ecosystems considered part of the temperate grasslands, savannas, and shrublands biome by ecologists, based on similar temperate climates, moderate rainfall, and a composition of grasses, herbs, and shrubs, rather than trees, as the ...

habitats.

Ecology

''Koeleria macrantha'' is a good forage for many types of grazing animals. It is one of many dietary staples for all classes of livestock and several species of various prairie wildlife depending on the stage of its seasonal development. It provides a stable source of nourishment for livestock in early spring and has been utilized by several species of deer, elk, and sheep as a food source due to its ability to grow in remote areas where the environment is not suited for other plant life. Due to the fact that it grows in scattered areas, it has not become a large dietary staple for much wildlife but still provides moderate nourishment to prairie wildlife. It has been found to be palatable to all livestock and wildlife in its post-curing stage in spring and fall but the palatability drops for most species when seed production begins before curing. ''Koeleria marcrantha'' spreads slowly via seed distribution. It will spread into bordering plant communities over time as an invasive species. A number of insects feed on ''K. macrantha'', including the striped flea beetle (''Phyllotreta striolata'') which feeds on the roots and foliage.

Toxicity

It is classified as a severe

allergen An allergen is an otherwise harmless substance that triggers an allergic reaction in sensitive individuals by stimulating an immune response. In technical terms, an allergen is an antigen that is capable of stimulating a type-I hypersensitivi ...

in humans with grass allergy.

Uses

The seed can be ground into a powder, which can then be boiled in water like a porridge or made into flour or bread. The leaves of the plant can be woven together to make brooms or brushes. Long stalks of the plant can be strung together with other plant fiber or string to be used for cleaning pots and pans. It has also been used as a building material when mixed with adobe for its adhesive qualities and strength.

Gardens

''Koeleria macrantha'' is used as an exceptionally low-maintenance

lawn A lawn () is an area of soil-covered land planted with Poaceae, grasses and other durable plants such as clover lawn, clover which are maintained at a short height with a lawn mower (or sometimes grazing animals) and used for aesthetic an ...

and

turf grass Sod is the upper layer of turf that is harvested for transplanting. Turf consists of a variable thickness of a soil medium that supports a community of turfgrasses. In British English, British and Australian English, sod is more commonly kn ...

. It is not suitable for high-traffic use due to its slow growth rate. It is often used for golf course roughs.

Wildfire protection

''Koeleria macrantha'' has been implemented in several areas of frequent wildfires due to its fire-resistant qualities. Due to its small size and the coarse leaves, they burn faster and transfer a very small amount of heat to the soil below. It also usually grows in small groups, which limits the amount of damage it can do once it burns. Although this species varies in its impact on fighting wildfires depending on the environment it grows in and the state of the plant, it provides a much needed damper for controlling the fire once it has begun.

References

External links

Jepson Manual Treatment
- ''Koeleria macrantha''
Calphoto, University of California, ''Koeleria macrantha'' - Photo gallery
{{Taxonbar, from=Q159962 Pooideae Bunchgrasses of North America Flora of Europe Flora of Asia Flora of Northern America Grasses of Mexico Grasses of the United States Grasses of Canada Garden plants of North America Drought-tolerant plants Lawn grasses