Holcus lanatus (Velvet grass)

FloraFinder uses cookies only for correct operation. More info. Okay

Holcus lanatus L.

Velvet grass, sweet velvet grass, Yorkshire fog

Kingdom	Plantae	Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
Subkingdom	Tracheobionta	Vascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
Division	Magnoliophyta	Flowering plants, also known as angiosperms
Class	Liliopsida	Monocots (plants with a single seed leaf); includes the lily family
Subclass	Commelinidae	Dayflowers and spiderworts, and several others
Order	Cyperales	Flowering plants including grasses
Family	Poaceae	Grasses (but not sedges or rushes)
Genus	Holcus	From the Greek holkos, an ancient name for some kind of grain or possibly grass
Species	lanatus	Covered with long, woolly hair

About plant names...

Velvet grass is native to Europe, western Asia, and the Canary Islands, introduced to North America and now widespread or invasive in some areas.

Identification: Stems are erect, hollow, 12-39" (30-99 cm) tall. Stems may be somewhat flat at the base, generating new roots. Leaf blades are 2-8" (5-20 cm) long and ⅛-⅜" (4-12 mm) wide. The panicles (flowerheads) are compact, up to 6" (15 cm) long. Each spikelet typically has two flowers. This species reproduces by spreading and putting down new roots, or by producing prolific seeds. Seeds are ¹/₃₂-¹/₁₆" (1.5-2 mm) long.

Online References:

The USDA Forest Service's Fire Effects Information Database

SEINet—the Southwest Environmental Information Network