Deschampsia cespitosa

(L.) P.Beauv.

Tussock grass, Tufted Hairgrass

Poaceae Edible: Seeds, Cereal 13,440 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Deschampsia cespitosa, commonly known as tufted hairgrass or tussock grass, is a perennial tufted plant in the grass family Poaceae. The distribution of this species is widespread, with it being native to North America, Central Africa, eastern Australia, New Zealand, and Eurasia and being introduced to South Africa, South Australia and South America.

Description

A grass which has leaves year round. It forms erect tussocks. It grows 1.2-1.8 m high and 1.2-1.5 m wide. The leaves are narrow and dark green. They are 10-60 cm long by 0.2-0.5 cm wide. They are often rolled inwards. The form a dense clump. The leaves have sharp tips. The flowers are airy plumes. They start green or purple and change with the season. They are 10-50 cm long by 15-20 cm wide.

Edible Uses

The seeds are used as a cereal.

Distribution

It grows in temperate and arctic regions. It is frost hardy. It grows in highland and subalpine regions. It likes a moist position in full sun. It suits hardiness zones 5-10.

Where It Grows

Africa, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Bhutan, Brazil, Britain, Canada, Central Asia, Chile, China, Europe, Finland, Himalayas, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Macquarie Island, Mongolia, New Zealand, North America, Northeastern India, Pakistan, Russia, Scandinavia, Sikkim, Slovenia, South America, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Tibet, Uzbekistan,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown from seed or by division of the clump.

Notes

There are between 40 and 50 Deschampsia species.

Synonyms

Aira cespitosa

Also Known As

Rušnata masnica

References (15)

Ambasta, S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 167
Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 335
Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 489
Curtis, W.M., & Morris, D.I., 1994, The Student's Flora of Tasmania. Part 4B St David's Park Publishing, Tasmania, p 242
Dashorst, G.R.M., and Jessop, J.P., 1998, Plants of the Adelaide Plains & Hills. Botanic Gardens of Adelaide and State Herbarium. p 174

Show all 15 references

Ess. Agrostogr. 91, 149, 160. 1812 "caespitosa"
Hibbert, M., 2002, The Aussie Plant Finder 2002, Florilegium. p 85
Irving, M., 2009, The Forager Handbook, A Guide to the Edible Plants of Britain. Ebury Press p 326
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Kirkpatrick, J., 1997, Alpine Tasmania, An Illustrated guide to the flora and vegetation. Oxford, p 126
Joyce, D., 1998, The Garden Plant Selector. Ryland, Peters and Small. p 328
Marinelli, J. (Ed), 2004, Plant. DK. p 270
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
Slocum, P.D. & Robinson, P., 1999, Water Gardening. Water Lilies and Lotuses. Timber Press. p 115
Tasmanian Herbarium Vascular Plants list p 82, 102