Identification of Grasses

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The various structures provide the features used in identification of grasses. The flower, called the inflorescence, is the easy place to start. However, some species are so similar that you may need to look more closely at other parts of the plant. The diagram below illustrates the basics.

The stem of a grass is seldom branched. It is mostly hollow and straight, interrupted at intervals by swollen joints called NODES. The stems are called CULMS.

Some grasses have stems which grow along the surface of the ground, and result in new shoots. These horizontal stems are called STOLONS. If the horizontal stems are below the ground, they are called RHIZOMES.

Leaves start at NODES. The part of the leaf closest to the node encloses and protects the shoot in a LEAF SHEATH. The further portion of the leaf opens out and is the LEAF BLADE. The LEAF BLADE is usually long and narrow, and tapers to a point.

Where the SHEATH and the BLADE meet, there is a small tissue flap called the LIGULE. This flap is sometimes nothing more than a fringe of hairs. It may also happen that the LIGULE has little projections on either side called AURICLES.

The flower head of grass is called INFLORESCENCE. There are no petals, and the flower is protected by scales called a FLORET.

All the florets are protected by a second set of scales called GLUMES. GLUMES may have bristle-like extensions called AWNS.

The entire structure – Florets, glumes, and awns – is called a SPIKELET.

The arrangement of the SPIKELETS into the INFLORESCENCE is often the first key in grass identification.