Higher classification Grasses | Scientific name Stipa Rank Genus | |
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Lower classifications Stipa capillata, Stipa tenacissima, Stipa heterophylla | ||
Nassella stipa tenuissima mexican feather grass texas needle grass
Stipa is a genus of around 300 large perennial hermaphroditic grasses collectively known as feather grass, needle grass, and spear grass. They are placed in the subfamily Pooideae and the tribe Stipeae.
Contents
- Nassella stipa tenuissima mexican feather grass texas needle grass
- Stipa ichu in the wind avi
- Ecology
- Selected species
- Formerly placed here
- References
Many species are important forage crops. Several species such as Stipa brachytricha, S. arundinacea, S. splendens, S. calamagrostis, S. gigantea and S. pulchra are used as ornamental plants. One species, esparto grass (Stipa tenacissima), is used for crafts and extensively in paper making.
Stipa ichu in the wind avi
Ecology
Species of the genus Stipa can occur in grasslands or in savanna habitats. Certain specific prairie plant associations are dominated by grasses of the genus Stipa, which genus often lends its name to the terminology of some prairie types. In some areas of the western United States grasses of the genus Stipa form a significant part of the understory of Blue Oak savannas, and were even a more important element prehistorically before the invasion of many European grasses.
Selected species
Formerly placed here
