# cocks-foot and orchard grasses (*Dactylis*)

Cocks-foot grass is a tall, green grass that grows in fields and meadows. It has fluffy flower heads that look like little clouds, making it fun to see swaying in the wind!

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Grasslands

![cocks-foot and orchard grasses](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Dactylis_glomerata_seedhead.jpg&width=800)

Photo: foxypar4 on Flickr, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dactylis_glomerata_seedhead.jpg)

## Appearance

The cocks-foot and orchard grasses has distinctive grey-green leaves growing in dense, often circular clumps. Its flattened stems lead to unique, branched seed heads resembling a bird's foot or splayed fingers, giving it a rough, almost spiky texture.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Liliopsida
- **Order:** Poales
- **Family:** Poaceae
- **Genus:** Dactylis

## Interesting facts

- It gets its common name because its seed heads look like a chicken's foot!
- Its pollen is a common trigger for hay fever in many people!
- One plant can produce thousands of tiny seeds, helping it spread widely.
- This grass is grown globally, making it one of the most widespread plants.

## Special abilities

- **Root Anchor:** Cocks-foot grass has deep, fibrous roots that help it withstand drought and prevent soil erosion.
- **Fast Rebound:** Cocks-foot grass can regrow quickly after being cut or grazed, ensuring a continuous food supply.
- **Shade Tolerance:** Cocks-foot grass can grow well in partially shaded areas where other grasses might struggle.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 30-150 cm
- **Spread:** 30-60 cm
- **Flower Size:** 0.3-1 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Summer
- **Edible:** No
- **Toxicity:** None
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Wind

## Ecological connections

- **Eaten by:** [Cattle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cattle) (*Bos taurus*) — Primary forage for livestock
- **Eaten by:** [Sheep](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sheep) (*Ovis aries*) — Commonly grazed by sheep
- **Eats:** [Field Vole](https://www.snappit.app/explore/field-vole) (*Microtus agrestis*) — Feeds on leaves and stems
- **Parasitizes:** Ergot Fungus (*Claviceps purpurea*) — Infects seeds, forming ergot

## Traits

- [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
- [Grass-Like](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grass-like): Grass-like plants are herbaceous plants that visually resemble true grasses, typically having long, narrow leaves.
- [Agricultural](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/agricultural): This human use trait describes species cultivated or domesticated by humans for agricultural purposes, including crops and livestock.
- [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
- [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
- [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
- [Rapid Growing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/rapid-growing): Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period.

## Collections

- [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Always stay on paths when exploring fields and be careful of tall grasses.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify cocks-foot and orchard grasses?

Compare seed heads, stem shape, how leaves attach, and the joint where leaf meets stem. A patch of mown lawn rarely shows enough for an exact ID. Grass Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is cocks-foot and orchard grasses?

30-150 cm

### How wide does cocks-foot and orchard grasses spread?

30-60 cm

### How big are the flowers on cocks-foot and orchard grasses?

0.3-1 cm

### When does cocks-foot and orchard grasses bloom?

Summer

### Is cocks-foot and orchard grasses edible?

No

### Is cocks-foot and orchard grasses toxic?

None

### What is cocks-foot and orchard grasses's lifecycle?

Perennial

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [Cocks-foot And Orchard Grasses Facts — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cocks-foot-and-orchard-grasses)