Biodiversity Plants

The Grass Family

(Gramineae)

Family Description

The Grass Family is very important. It contains many plants which provide food for humans, such as wheat (used to make bread), oats, barley and rice.

Many grasses provide food for domestic animals such as cows, sheep and horses.

Grasses are also a very important food source for many wild animals throughout the world. For example, antelope, zebra, horses, rabbits and many birds.

Grasses have developed effective ways of dispersing their pollen by the wind. Many have feathery structures with which to catch pollen from other grasses. Their flowers are not brightly coloured, because they are wind-pollinated, and therefore do not need to be attractive to insects.

As you would expect, most grasses are found on grassland. However, they can also be found growing in water, on rocks, in woods and other places.

You can now explore:

Cock's Foot Grass

Meadow Oat Grass

Cock's Foot Grass

Dactylis glomerata

This grass can grow up to 1 metre in height. It has stiff long leaves which grow to 1 centimetre wide.

Habitat
On meadows and roadsides.

Prefers chalk and limestone soils.

Special features Two lower "branches" that spread.

Reproduction
The small flowers grow closely packed together in tufts.

The pollen is light, dry and dust-like so it can be easily dispersed in the wind.

The seeds grow inside husks.

Distribution
Seasonal

Flowers from May to September.

Geographical

Cock's foot grass can be found throughout the British Isles.

Fun Fact
Grasses native to Britain are all herbaceous, whereas others, such as the exotic bamboo, are woody.

Meadow Oat Grass

Avenula pratensis

This is a perennial grass. It can grow to 60 cm in height.

Habitat Prefers dry limestone grasslands.

Special features
The leaves have white dots on the underside.

Reproduction
The pollen is dispersed in the wind.

The seeds grow inside husks.

Distribution
Seasonal

Flowers in June.

Geographical

Throughout the British Isles.

Fun Fact Part of the success of grasses is due to the fact that their leaves grow continuously from the base, so if they are eaten by animals they will continue to grow. Most other flowering plants grow from the tip. This is why you can mow your grass lawn, but not your flower bed.

	The Grass Family (Gramineae)
	Family Description	The Grass Family is very important. It contains many plants which provide food for humans, such as wheat (used to make bread), oats, barley and rice. Many grasses provide food for domestic animals such as cows, sheep and horses. Grasses are also a very important food source for many wild animals throughout the world. For example, antelope, zebra, horses, rabbits and many birds. Grasses have developed effective ways of dispersing their pollen by the wind. Many have feathery structures with which to catch pollen from other grasses. Their flowers are not brightly coloured, because they are wind-pollinated, and therefore do not need to be attractive to insects. As you would expect, most grasses are found on grassland. However, they can also be found growing in water, on rocks, in woods and other places. You can now explore: Cock's Foot Grass Meadow Oat Grass
	Cock's Foot Grass *Dactylis glomerata*	This grass can grow up to 1 metre in height. It has stiff long leaves which grow to 1 centimetre wide.
	Habitat	On meadows and roadsides. Prefers chalk and limestone soils.
	Special features	Two lower "branches" that spread.
	Reproduction	The small flowers grow closely packed together in tufts. The pollen is light, dry and dust-like so it can be easily dispersed in the wind. The seeds grow inside husks.
	Distribution	Seasonal Flowers from May to September. Geographical Cock's foot grass can be found throughout the British Isles.
	Fun Fact	Grasses native to Britain are all herbaceous, whereas others, such as the exotic bamboo, are woody.

	Meadow Oat Grass *Avenula pratensis*	This is a perennial grass. It can grow to 60 cm in height.
	Habitat	Prefers dry limestone grasslands.
	Special features	The leaves have white dots on the underside.
	Reproduction	The pollen is dispersed in the wind. The seeds grow inside husks.
	Distribution	Seasonal Flowers in June. Geographical Throughout the British Isles.
	Fun Fact	Part of the success of grasses is due to the fact that their leaves grow continuously from the base, so if they are eaten by animals they will continue to grow. Most other flowering plants grow from the tip. This is why you can mow your grass lawn, but not your flower bed.