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Calamagrostis macilenta (Calamagrostis macilenta)

Description

Calamagrostis (reed grass or smallweed) is a genus in the grass family Poaceae, with about 260 species that occur mainly in temperate regions of the globe. Towards equatorial latitudes, species of Calamagrostis generally occur at higher elevations. These tufted perennials usually have hairless narrow leaves. The ligules are usually blunt. The inflorescence forms a panicle. Some may be reed-like. The plants may be rhizomatous (underground stems with shoots), stoloniferous (with runners), or caespitose (growing in tufts or clumps). The bisexual spikelets have a single floret and generally they are purple or purple-brown. The spikelets are clustered into inflorescences, which usually develop in early- to mid-summer on long culms ( = stems). Some Calamagrostis can be very decorative; for example, in North America, Britain and Europe, a hybrid cultivar of Calamagrostis (Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster') is widely grown as an ornamental grass.

Taxonomic tree

  • Domain: Eukarya

    • Kingdom: Plantae

      • Phylum:

        • Class: Liliopsida

          • Order: Poales

            • Family: Poaceae

              • Genus: Calamagrostis