Tufted Hairgrass (Deschampsia cespitosa)

Deschampsia cespitosa, commonly known as Tufted Hair-grass or Tussock grass is a perennial tufted plant in the grass family Poaceae. Distribution of this Deschampsia grass species is widespread including the eastern and western coasts of North America, parts of South America, and Eurasia.

It can be found on all types of grassland, although it prefers poorly drained soil. It forms a major component of the British NVC community MG9 - Holcus lanatus to Deschampsia cespitosa Mesotrophic grasslands. It can exist up to altitudes of 4000 ft.

A distinguishing feature is the upper surface of the leaf blade which feels rough and can cut in one direction, but is smooth in the opposite direction. The upper side of the leaves are deeply grooved, and are dark green. It can grow to 1.5 metres tall, and has a long, narrow, pointed ligule.

Description adapted from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deschampsia_cespitosa

• Biota
• Life
• Vitae
• Eukaryota
• Plantae
• Plants
• Magnoliophyta
• Flowering Plants
• Angiosperms
• Liliopsida
• Monocotyledons
• Poales
• Poaceae
• True grasses
• Deschampsia
• Hairgrass
• Deschampsia cespitosa
• Tufted Hairgrass
• Tussock grass
• Grass seeds

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