| Danthonia decumbens | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Habitus | |
 | |
| Spikelets | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Poaceae |
| Genus: | Danthonia |
| Species: | D. decumbens |
| Binomial name | |
| Danthonia decumbens | |
| Synonyms [1] | |
| |
Danthonia decumbens (formerlySieglingia decumbens) is a species of grass commonly known as theheath grass,[2]heath-grass,[3] orstaggers grass[4] It is atussock grass native to Europe and adjacent parts of Asia and North Africa. It may also be native to Newfoundland and Nova Scotia.
Danthonia decumbens is aperennial plant with a decumbent habit; it lies on the ground with the tips turned upward.
It has narrow, bright green leaves taper to a sharp point and are rather hairy. A long upper leaf sheath clasps the delicate stem. The stem is 15–30 centimetres (5.9–11.8 in) high and slightly bent at the base, smooth with 1 to 3 nodes.
Theligule consists of a ring of hairs, as in the purple moor grass,Molinia caerulea, except that in this plant each end has a tuft of longer hairs.[2]
Thepanicle consists of 4 or 5 large erect glaucous silvery green or purplish awnless spikelets. These are arranged alternately on the upper part of the stem. The bunchgrass flowers in the summer months.
The plant is found on acid pastures andheathland, on sandy orpeat soils, which are also often damp.
The grass, having no domesticforage value, is not grown agriculturally.[2]
Media related toDanthonia decumbens at Wikimedia Commons