Tor-grass

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tor-grass
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Liliopsida Order: Poales Family: Poaceae Genus: Brachypodium Species: B. pinnatum
Binomial name
Brachypodium pinnatum (L.) P.Beauv.

Tor-grass (Brachypodium pinnatum) is a plant in the grass family, with a widespread distribution in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. It typically grows in calcareous grassland, and reaches 70-120 cm tall. The flowerhead is open, with 10-15 erect spikelets.

The caterpillars of some Lepidoptera use it as a foodplant, e.g. the Essex Skipper (Thymelicus lineola).

[edit] See also

• Brachypodium distachyon

[edit] References and external links

• Tor Grass page from the Flora of Northern Ireland site.
• BRACHYPODIUM.ORG
• THE INTERNATIONAL BRACHYPODIUM INITIATIVE