plant
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies.Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Feedback
Thank you for your feedback
Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.
External Websites
- The Canadian Encyclopedia - Grasses
- Montana State University - Grass Identification Basics
- Colorado State University Extension - Grass Growth and Response to Grazing
- Clemson Cooperative Extension - Home & Garden Information Center - Ornamental Grasses and Grass-like Plants
- Biology LibreTexts - Introduction to Grasses
- Oregon State University - Forage Information System - How does Grass Grow?
- Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History - Grass Research
Britannica Websites
Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies.Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Feedback
Thank you for your feedback
Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.
External Websites
- The Canadian Encyclopedia - Grasses
- Montana State University - Grass Identification Basics
- Colorado State University Extension - Grass Growth and Response to Grazing
- Clemson Cooperative Extension - Home & Garden Information Center - Ornamental Grasses and Grass-like Plants
- Biology LibreTexts - Introduction to Grasses
- Oregon State University - Forage Information System - How does Grass Grow?
- Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History - Grass Research
Britannica Websites
Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.
Written and fact-checked by
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Last Updated: •Article History
perennial ryegrass
- Key People:
- Albert Spear Hitchco*ck
- Related Topics:
- Poaceae
- Cyperaceae
- Juncaceae
- shortgrass
- naṣī
grass, any of many low, green, nonwoody plants belonging to the grass family (Poaceae), the sedge family (Cyperaceae), and the rush family (Juncaceae). There are many grasslike members of other flowering plant families, but only the approximately 10,000 species in the family Poaceae are true grasses.
They are economically the most important of all flowering plants because of their nutritious grains and soil-forming function, and they have the most-widespread distribution and the largest number of individuals. Grasses provide forage for grazing animals, shelter for wildlife, construction materials, furniture, utensils, and food for humans. Some species are grown as garden ornamentals, cultivated as turf for lawns and recreational areas, or used as cover plants for erosion control. Most grasses have round stems that are hollow between the joints, bladelike leaves, and extensively branching fibrous root systems.
Britannica Quiz
Plants: From Cute to Carnivorous
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Adam Augustyn.
