Photo ©2005 Rasbak
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Common Bent - Agrostis capillaris
Syn. – Agrostis tenius
Family - Poaceae
Also known as - Colonial Bent, Browntop
Photo ©2005 Rasbak
Click photo for a larger image
Common Bent Grass is a glabrous rhizomatous perennial native of Eurasia and a widely introduced invasive in many other parts of the world, growing in moist grasslands and open meadows, agricultural fields, roadsides, and disturbed areas on neutral and acidic soils. The name "Agrostis" comes from the Greek word meaning forage plant, "agros" meaning "a field".
One of the taller bent species it grows in dense patches of fine flat leaves to 10–70cm (4–27in) high, with a ligule that is short and does not come to a point. The flowering panicles appear from May until June, are finely branched and can have a purple haziness when viewed from a distance. The panicle persists in winter after the seeds have been shed. It is often used for fine–leaved lawns and tennis courts, it is also a valuable agro–economic crop because of its ability to produce fodder as well as provide food for grazing animals. The plant propagates by seed and occasionally stolons. Common Bent – Agrostis capillaris - is often referred to by its synonym – Agrostis tenuis.
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