Orchard Grass
ExplorePlants
Orchard Grass
Dactylis glomerata
Orchard Grass is a lush grass that grows well in many places! It’s soft and perfect for grazing animals.
Habitat: Fields and meadows
Appearance
The Orchard Grass is a cool-season grass that forms dense, bluish-green clumps or tussocks. Its broad, flat leaves can have a rough texture. The distinctive flower head appears as a compact, often one-sided, branched cluster of spikelets.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassLiliopsidaOrderPoalesFamilyPoaceaeGenusDactylis
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
1
Interesting facts
A single plant can release billions of tiny pollen grains into the air!
It got its common name because it often pops up in fruit orchards!
It's a super important food for many grazing farm animals!
This speedy grass is one of the first to grow tall each spring!
Special abilities
Ability
Tussock Power
Orchard Grass can grow in dense clumps that help it resist trampling and provides shade for its roots.
Ability
Drought Buster Roots
Orchard Grass has a deep and fibrous root system that helps it find water during dry periods.
Ability
Wind Whispers
Orchard Grass releases vast amounts of lightweight pollen into the wind, helping it spread its genes far and wide.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 30-140 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.1-0.3 cm
- Bloom Season
- Late_spring_to_early_summer
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Wind
Ecological connections
eaten by
Cattle
Bos taurus
Main food source in pastures
eaten by
Sheep
Ovis aries
Commonly grazed by livestock
eaten by
Canada Goose
Branta canadensis
Often eats young grass shoots
shelters
Meadow Vole
Microtus pennsylvanicus
Dense clumps provide cover
Traits
Grass-Like
Grass-like plants are herbaceous plants that visually resemble true grasses, typically having long, narrow leaves.
Spring Blooming
Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.
Agricultural
This human use trait describes species cultivated or domesticated by humans for agricultural purposes, including crops and livestock.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Rapid Growing
Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period.
Also known as
Cat's TailCocksfoot
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Explore with care and ask an adult if you’re unsure what to do.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Orchard Grass?
30-140 cm
How big are the flowers on Orchard Grass?
0.1-0.3 cm
When does Orchard Grass bloom?
Late_spring_to_early_summer
Is Orchard Grass edible?
Yes
Is Orchard Grass toxic?
None
What is Orchard Grass's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Orchard Grass pollinated?
Wind
Where is Orchard Grass usually found?
Fields and meadows
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
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Recent Snaps
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