Prepare to step into the world of grasses and sedges, a world that is perhaps easily overlooked. Yet surprisingly, did you know that grassland habitat covers up to 20% of the vegetation cover of our planet. Next time you are out and about, why not look down and explore the world below your feet. For the next 12 weeks, I will let you reed the clues and wander through the maize of possible answers.Enjoy!MYSTERY GRASS & SEDGE QUIZ #2Clue: A heavy metal fan
Congratulations to all of you who guessed Creeping bent grass (Agrostis stolonifera). Let’s start with the clues! First clue: A heavy metal fan. Okay, maybe a fan was a bit much, but as a hardy grass, Creeping bent is tolerant of contaminated conditions, where heavy metals such as zinc occur. For your interest, there is a band called Creeping bentgrass, but from what I could tell from their website, they do not play heavy metal. The second clue: You might find an eagle or albatross here. Creeping bent grass is not only used as turf in gardens, but also on golf courses as well. Both an eagle and an albatross are golf terms; eagle means scoring two under par, an albatross three under par. Par being the number of strokes a golfer requires to complete a hole, round or tournament.
Forming in tufts or mats, Creeping bent grass can be found in a variety of habitats, ranging from woodlands to wetlands. A perennial grass, Creeping bent grass has dull green striated leaves and flowers around august (purple flowers). The stems of Creeping bent grass are hairless and low-growing and its seeds are a golden-brown colour. It’s other names include: Carpet bentgrass, redtop bent and seaside bentgrass.
A picture of Creeping bent grass is found here.
Did you know that: Creeping bent grass is used as livestock forage and is a good foodstuff for much wildlife.
Keep an eye out for next week’s Mystery Grass & Sedge quiz here soon!
Take care,
Claire
Think they are to make them visible so they don't hit each other ... or arrested development!! Lol
2013 photos & vids here
eff37 on Flickr
Sure as heck has nothing to do with fashion!
Men & fashion don't compute (except in a few cases & I bet they don't play golf in those funny trousers!) Lol
well done Wendy
Always classed MrsT as a swinger lol
Ray
Have a nice break MrsT
a good laugh is better than a tonic
Thanks Elvis, law of averages rules OK!! Lol
Should be GRASS IAS Wendy lol
There are great patches of Creeping Bent on many of the Dales hills in areas around the old leadmines. As it is dying down at the end of the year it looks quite dazzling when the sun catches it
Pete
Birding is for everyone no matter how good or bad we are at it,enjoy it while you can
Unknown said: Should be GRASS IAS Wendy lol Ray