Bent grass

Bent grass

Agrotis castellena Bois

Common Name:

Bent grass

Scientific Name:

Agrotis castellena Bois


Alternative common names:

Brown top bentgrass, Colonial bent grass,Common bentgrass, New Zealand bentgrass, Prince Edward Island bentgrass, Rhode Island bentgrass

Description:

Bent grass is grey-green, rather fine-leaved perennials, forming tufts 30-90 cm, with long slender rhizomes; branching intravaginal. Leaf-sheath glabrous, brownish green or purplish. Ligule 0.7-2 mm, or up to 3 mm in culm leaves, taller than wide, somewhat tapered or rounded, minutely ciliate. 

Additional Information


Where does this species come from?

Northern Africa

What is its invasive status in South Africa?

NEMBA Category 1a Prince Edward and 1b Marion Island.Not listed on mainland or other offshore Islands.

Where in South Africa is it a problem?

Western Cape

How does it spread?

Spreads by underground rhizomes.

Why is it a problem?

Is a troublesome in wetlands and riparian areas, and is a high threat weed species in remnant floodplain riparian woodlands

What does it look like?

Leaves: The leaves are dull green Leaves 3-8 mm wide. Rolled in shoot, not hairy, no auricles, but the plant has rhizomes

Flowers: Panicle very open in flower and remaining open in fruit

Fruit/seeds: a horizontal branch from the base of a plant that produces new plants from buds at its tip or nodes

Does the plant have any uses?

Some people use it as lawn grass,and soil erosion control.

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