Status:
valid
Authors:
(L.) Roem. & Schult.
Source:
wcs
Year:
1817
Citation Micro:
Syst. Veg., ed. 15[bis]. 2: 690 (1817)
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000862150
Common Names
- Danthonia Spicata
- Spike Oatgrass
- Spike Needlegrass
Description
Danthonia spicata (also called slender oatgrass, among many other common names) is a species of grass in the Poaceae family. It is native to western North America, from British Columbia to California, and grows in dry, open areas. It is a perennial grass that can reach heights of up to 60 cm. Its leaves are linear and have a rough texture. Its flowers are small and yellow.
Uses & Benefits
Danthonia spicata is used as an ornamental plant in gardens, as a ground cover, and as a forage crop for livestock.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
Flowers of Danthonia spicata are small, yellow-green and clustered in a panicle. The seeds are small, dark brown and have a tuft of white hairs. The seedlings are slender and have a single, narrow leaf.
Cultivation and Propagation
Danthonia spicata is a perennial grass that is native to North America. It is best grown in full sun and well-drained soils. Propagation is done by seed or division. Seeds should be sown in early spring or late fall and kept moist until germination. Division should be done in spring or fall and the divisions should be planted immediately.
Where to Find Danthonia spicata
Danthonia spicata can be found in North America, Europe, and Asia in grasslands, meadows, and open woodlands.
Species in the Danthonia genus
Danthonia alpina,
Danthonia annableae,
Danthonia araucana,
Danthonia boliviensis,
Danthonia breviseta,
Danthonia californica,
Danthonia cernua,
Danthonia chaseana,
Danthonia chiapasensis,
Danthonia chilensis,
Danthonia cirrata,
Danthonia compressa,
Danthonia decumbens,
Danthonia domingensis,
Danthonia holm-nielsenii,
Danthonia intermedia,
Danthonia malacantha,
Danthonia melanathera,
Danthonia montevidensis,
Danthonia parryi,
Danthonia rhizomata,
Danthonia rugoloana,
Danthonia secundiflora,
Danthonia sericea,
Danthonia spicata,
Danthonia unispicata,
Danthonia breviaristata,
Species in the Poaceae family
Achnatherum pekinense,
Achnatherum pubicalyx,
Achnatherum sibiricum,
Achnatherum turcomanicum,
Achnatherum brandisii,
Achnatherum bromoides,
Achnatherum calamagrostis,
Achnatherum confusum,
Achnatherum inebrians,
Achnatherum jacquemontii,
Achnatherum virescens,
Achnatherum paradoxum,
Achnatherum nakaii,
Achnatherum pelliotii,
Achnatherum haussknechtii,
Achnatherum mandavillei,
Achnatherum pilosum,
Achnatherum parviflorum,
Achnatherum staintonii,
Aciachne acicularis,
Aciachne flagellifera,
Aciachne pulvinata,
Acidosasa breviclavata,
Acidosasa brilletii,
Acidosasa chinensis,
Acidosasa edulis,
Acidosasa glauca,
Acidosasa guangxiensis,
Acidosasa lingchuanensis,
Acidosasa nanunica,
Acidosasa notata,
Acidosasa purpurea,
Acidosasa venusta,
Acidosasa carinata,
Acostia gracilis,
Acrachne henrardiana,
Acrachne perrieri,
Acrachne racemosa,
Acritochaete volkensii,
Acroceras amplectens,
Acroceras attenuatum,
Acroceras boivinii,
Acroceras bosseri,
Acroceras calcicola,
Acroceras chaseae,
Acroceras diffusum,
Acroceras elegans,
Acroceras excavatum,
Acroceras fluminense,
Acroceras gabunense,
References
POWO record for urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:1167024-2: Govaerts R (ed.). 2023. WCVP: World Checklist of Vascular Plants [Version 11]. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. [WWW document] URL http://sftp.kew.org/pub/data-repositories/WCVP/ [accessed 20 April 2023].