Grass
/ɡræs/
Definition
Grass refers to plants in the family Poaceae, a large group of narrow-leaved flowering monocots that include lawn grasses, bamboos, and cereal crops such as wheat and rice. They are distinguished by jointed stems, leaves with a sheath around the stem, and fibrous root systems. Many spread by seed, rhizomes, or stolons, and their growing points are often near the base, which helps them recover after mowing or grazing.
Botanical Significance
- Key plant family: Grass belongs to Poaceae, one of the largest flowering plant families, and this group includes major crops such as wheat, rice, and maize as well as many lawn and prairie species.
- Growth from the base: Many species regrow from basal growing points near the soil surface, which helps them recover after grazing or mowing and explains why repeated cutting is often tolerated better than in many broadleaf plants.
- Wind pollination pattern: Flowers are usually small and not showy because pollen is commonly carried by wind rather than insects. That trait shapes the structure of the flower and the timing of pollen release.
- Soil-holding root systems: Dense, fibrous roots help bind soil, reduce erosion, and improve surface stability. In gardens and landscapes, this growth habit also affects water movement, competition, and how planting areas are managed.
Related Terms
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Lemma
Lemma refers to the lower of the two bracts that enclose each floret in grasses and other members of the grass family…
Ligule
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Parallel venation
Parallel venation describes a leaf vein pattern in which the main veins run lengthwise beside each other from the leaf…
Sheath
Sheath refers to a tubular or wrapping plant structure that closely encloses another part, most often the base of a…
Spike
Spike refers to a type of inflorescence, or flower cluster, in which individual flowers are attached directly to the…