bent grass

bent grass, any species of the genus Agrostis of the family Gramineae (grass family), chiefly slender, delicate plants native to cool climates. Many are used for forage or lawns. Important species naturalized from Europe include the creeping bent (A. palustris), a lawn and putting-green grass; colonial bent (A. tenuis), frequently used in lawn mixtures; and especially, redtop (A. alba), called also fiorin and herd's-grass. Redtop, a perennial with reddish panicles, is much used (often mixed with clover) for pasture and hay in NE America; it is also effective in erosion control. The cloud grass (A. nebulosa), native to Spain, is cultivated for use as an everlasting. Bent grass is classified in the division Magnoliophyta, class Liliopsida, order Cyperales, family Gramineae.

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bent grass

Creeping bent (Agrostis stolonifera variety palustris)

(credit: R.G. Doord—The Natural History Photographic Agency/EB Inc.)

Any of the annual or perennial grasses that make up the genus Agrostis, in the family Poaceae (or Gramineae), found in temperate and cool regions and at high altitudes in subtropical and tropical areas. At least 40 species are found in the U.S.; some are weeds, others forage and turf plants. They have slender stems and flat blades. Many spread by creeping stolons. Redtop (A. gigantea) is a hay and pasture grass. Creeping bent (A. stolonifera variety palustris) and colonial bent (A. tenuis) are popular lawn grasses; the many strains of both species are planted in golf courses and bowling greens, where they are closely cut to develop a fine, spongy, firm turf.