About Agrostis scabra Willd.
Agrostis scabra Willd. is a perennial bunchgrass that grows mostly upright, reaching heights between 6 and 39 inches (15 and 99 cm), and may grow as tall as 50 inches (130 cm). In Colorado, this species has been found growing at elevations as high as 12,000 feet (3,658 m). Its leaves are rough from tiny hairs, and can grow up to around 14 centimeters long. When the inflorescence reaches maturity, it breaks away from the main plant and is dispersed by wind. Agrostis scabra is frequently mistaken for Agrostis hyemalis, but can be distinguished by its tendency to flower later in the year. This grass occurs across most of the United States, with the exception of some areas of the Southeast. It also grows in most of Canada, excluding the farthest northern regions, and can additionally be found in Mexico, California, from Alaska across far eastern Asia, reaching as far south as Korea. It grows in a very wide range of habitats, ranging from warm coastal valleys to the alpine climate of high mountain ranges. It has been observed growing on cliffs, in forests, at forest edges, in meadows and fields, and along the shores of rivers and lakes. This grass’s tolerance for alpine climates makes it a useful species for revegetating disturbed land in these regions. Agrostis scabra responds to burning with increased growth. It often becomes established on sites that can support very few other plants, including abandoned coal mines and soils polluted with sulfur, copper, and nickel. Before it flowers, cattle, sheep, and horses readily graze on this grass. It is also occasionally eaten by wild animals, and may be consumed by livestock even after it has flowered.
