Sweet grasses represent their own plant family within the grass plants. Most grass plants grown in the garden belong to the sweet grasses. But crops such as cereals are also sweet grasses. Characteristics for identifying sweet grasses.
How can you correctly identify sweet grasses?
To identify sweet grasses, look for characteristics such as alternate leaves, inconspicuous hermaphrodite flowers, triangular stems with nodes and nuts. Compare these characteristics with specialist literature or online sources to accurately identify the sweetgrass species.
Identifying sweet grasses
Identifying sweet grasses is not always easy, even for experts. After all, there are thousands of species that differ significantly in height, leaf shape and ears.
In order to make an exact determination, specialist literature (€29.00 on Amazon) is helpful. Some sites on the Internet also help to clearly identify sweet grasses.
What are sweet grasses?
Grasses that spread through seeds produced in inflorescences called spikes are called sweet grasses. Pollination occurs through the wind.
- Leaves: alternate, two-lined – leaf sheath and leaf blade
- Flowers: hermaphroditic, inconspicuous, with bracts (husks)
- Fruits: Nuts, seed shell and pericarp grown together
- Stems: do not become woody, exception: bamboo
Sweet grasses can be annual and perennial. The height ranges from ten centimeters for dwarf grasses to four meters for giant bamboo.
Difference between sweet and sour grasses
The most important distinguishing feature between sweet and sour grasses are the stems. In sweet grasses these are usually triangular. They contain marrow and can be recognized by their nodes. These stand out clearly on the stem.
Sweet grasses commonly found in the garden
- Ornamental grasses including Japanese grass
- Riding grass
- Pipegrass
- Pampas grass
- Reeds
- Bamboo
Most sweet grasses are grown as solitary plants in the garden bed as a background to flowering plants. Because of their size, some varieties serve as privacy screens on fences and patios. Sweet grasses can also be kept well in pots.
Most sweet grasses planted in the garden are perennial and hardy. Bamboo is an exception here too, because not all bamboo species are completely hardy.
Sweet grasses as a useful plant
- Oats
- Rye
- Wheat
- Corn
- Millet
- Rice
These sweet grasses are widely cultivated as crops. Occasionally these sweet grasses are grown in the garden for demonstration purposes or to produce flour.
Sweet grasses that are grown as crops are usually annuals. During a growing season they go through all stages from flowering to harvesting the fruit.
Tip
Sweet grasses are planted in gardens as ornamental plants in perennial beds or as privacy screens. Care is very easy and the slender fronds look incredibly decorative.