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Weeds > Dactylis > Dactylis glomerata > Dactylis glomerata

Dactylis glomerata


Cock's Foot, Orchard Grass, Cat Grass




Origin:  Native to Britain.
Family
Poaceae
Genus
Dactylis
Species
glomerata
Category
Weeds
Height
20 - 140 cm
Photographs
Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
Landscape
Often grown as hay crop.
Cultivation
Full sun and partial-shade. Well-drained and moist soil. Prefers loam, clay-loam or gravelly loam.
Shape
Upright and dense.
Pests
Caterpillars can be a problem.
Habitat
Meadows, pastures and rough grasslands.
Leaf Description
The leaves are 20 - 50 cm long and 1.5 cm wide. Flatten stem base which distinguishes it from many other grasses,
Flower Description
Tufted triangular flower heads that are 10 - 15 cm long. Spikelets are 5 - 9 mm long and contain 2 - 5 flowers.
Colour Description
The leaves are green. The flowers are greenish-red to purple.
Propagation
Seed.
Ethnobotanical Uses (Disclaimer)
The grass is popularly grown to satisfy the craving of domestic cats to chew grass, hence its name cat grass.
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