Species: Cock's-foot (Dactylis glomerata)
Family: Grasses (POACEAE (GRAMINEAE))
Category: Flowering Plants
Location: NW
A. Flowering Plants
More extensive information on flowering plants can be found in a separate blog post.
B. Grasses (POACEAE (GRAMINEAE))
This ubiquitous, diverse family includes annual, biennial, and perennial species, terrestrial and aquatic species, and deciduous and evergreen species. One reason why grasses are such successful plants is that they grow from the base, whereas most other plants grow from the tip. This means they are more likely to survive when damaged, for example by mowing, grazing, or fire. 70% of all crops are grasses, producing grains for food.
C. Cock's-foot (Dactylis glomerata)
Flowering from May, this native, tussocky grass has flower heads resembling birds' feet, on slim stems. The leaves have sharp edges.
This grass is a valuable to caterpillars of the Marbled White butterfly and the Cocksfoot Moth.
