Look out for these common but overlooked flowering grasses this spring!
Vicki Lee
Grasses are most common and overlooked plants! They belong to the Poaceae family, the largest family of flowering plants in the UK.
Grasses are mainly wind pollinated with tiny flowers that produce very light pollen. The flowers are inflorescence, meaning a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a plant's stem. You might want to look at grass flowers with a magnifying glass to see how magnificent these flowers are!
We record four common species of grasses and their first flowers. These species are cocksfoot, meadow foxtail, Timothy and Yorkshire fog. Now is the perfect time to get out and spot the grasses and their first flowers. Grasses - Nature's Calendar
Why are grasses important?
Grasslands are fantastic habitats, filled with biodiversity. They provide habitats for insects, small mammals, reptiles and amphibians. Pollinators such as bumblebees are also known to build their nest in the long grass. The grasses support caterpillar species such as those of Essex skipper butterfly and many more as a food source.
Grasslands play a vital role in improving soil health through extensive root systems. During heatwaves, grasses can access water and nutrients, helping the land retain moisture. Grass cover also absorbs heat and provides cooler, shaded spaces for wildlife.
The species we record:
Meadow foxtail Alopecurus pratensis
This grass has long flower heads that are upright and ‘bushy-tailed’, giving the grass its name. This is one of the species that flower first in the year!
Expected date range: mid-April to early June
Identification tips:This is a tufted grass that can grow up to 120cm in height. It has hairless green leaves. The inflorescence forms a single compact cylindrical spike (2-13 cm long) which is soft to the touch. Meadow foxtail is a common, widespread grass found in meadows and grasslands, preferring damper areas.
Meadow foxtail in flower WTML / Margaret Barton
Cocksfoot Paul Sterry / WTML
Cocksfoot Dactylis glomerata
A key characteristic is a flattened stem base which separates this grass from others. Cocksfoot grass is perennial and commonly grows in dense tussocks. Honeybees often will favour cocksfoot pollen!
Expected date range: mid-April to mid-June
Identification tips: The cocksfoot is a tussocky grass growing up to 140 cm in height. The leaves are a bluish green with a keeled underside. The stems at the base of the plant appear flattened. The flower of the cocksfoot is comprised of three or more smaller flower spikes (5-9 mm long) at the end of the stems. You will find this grass on all types of grassland and waste ground. It is common and widespread.
Cocksfoot Grass (Dactylis glomerata) - Woodland Trust
Timothy Phleum pratense
This grass is a perennial with long cylindrical flower heads that grows in clumps. Many caterpillars feed on Timothy grass such as the Essex skipper and the marbled white.
Expected date range: mid-April to late June
Identification tips:Timothy grass can reach up to 150cm in height, forming small tufts. The leaves are green with roughly hairy leaves. Its flower inflorescence is a single long (6-15 cm) cylindrical spike. The distribution of this species is widespread and common, found on all types of grassland.
Timothy grass (Phleum pratense) - Woodland Trust
Timothy grass in flower WTML/Pete Holmes
Yorkshire fog John Bridges / WTML
Yorkshire fog Holcus lanatus
Yorkshire fog is often known for its purple colour and its woolly appearance. This is a popular food plant for the caterpillars of the small skipper and other butterflies.
Identification tips: A tufted grass up to 100 cm in height. The leaves are grey-green and softly hairy. If you peel back the basal leaves, there will be a distinct purple stem base. The flower head is 3-20 cm long with the smaller individual flower spikes 4-6 mm long. The flowers often have a purple tinge to them. This is another common and widespread species found on all types of grassland and waste ground.
Yorkshire Fog Grass (Holcus lanatus) - Woodland Trust
We would like to thank you for all the sightings that have been recorded already this year! Your contributions are hugely appreciated and contribute to our valuable scientific data.
