Agrostis hyemalis (Walter) Britton, Sterns & Poggenb.

Ticklegrass; Small Bentgrass; Winter Bent

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Ticklegrass is a native annual or perennial in the Grass family (Poaceae). It can be found throughout Alabama. Ticklegrass occurs in moist pine woods, on roadsides, in pastures, in wet roadside ditches, and in other disturbed sites. It is an annual or short lived perennial with a fibrous root system. It is a cespitose (clump forming) species that lacks rhizomes or stolons. Culms (stems) are 1-2 feet in height. Fertile shoots are taller than vegetative ones. Leaves are cauline and basal. The leaves are linear, glabrous, and entire. Cauline leaves are smaller than basal leaves. Flowers are produced in spiklets that are arranged in panicles. Spiklets are greenish or purple in color, ovate in outline, and produced at the ends of wide spreading capillary branches. As the seed mature, the entire panicle begins to dry out and turn a tan color. The panicles eventually break off at the base and is blown about by the wind, much like tumbleweeds. They dry panicles are often seen piled up along fences or at the base of shrubs. Ticklegrass is a larval host plant for Common Roadside-Skipper (Amblyscirtes vialis), and Fiery Skipper (Hylephila phyleus). Ticklegrass is sometimes available from suppliers of native grass seed. It is best grown as an annual. Seed should be planted on a prepared seedbed in the autumn.--A. Diamond

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Native FAC (NWPL) G5 (Global Rank)

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