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Creeping Bent

Agrostis stolonifera

Please keep in mind that it is illegal to uproot a plant without the landowner's consent and care should be taken at all times not to damage wild plants. Wild plants should never be picked for pleasure and some plants are protected by law.
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Contents

Plant Profile

Flowering Months:
JAN  FEB  MAR  APR  MAY  JUN  JUL  AUG  SEP  OCT  NOV  DEC
Order:
Poales
Family:
Poaceae (Grass)
Also in this family:
Alpine Catstail, Alpine Foxtail, Alpine Meadow-grass, Annual Beard-grass, Annual Meadow-grass, Arrow Bamboo, Barren Brome Grass, Bearded Couch Grass, Bearded Fescue, Bermuda Grass, Black Bent, Black Grass, Blue Fescue, Blue Moor-grass, Bog Hair-grass, Borrer's Saltmarsh Grass, Bread Wheat, Bristle Bent, Brown Bent, Brown Sedge, Bulbous Foxtail, Bulbous Meadow-grass, California Brome Grass, Canary Grass, Carnation Sedge, Cocksfoot, Cockspur, Common Bent, Common Cord-grass, Common Millet, Common Reed, Common Saltmarsh Grass, Compact Brome Grass, Corn, Couch Grass, Creeping Soft-grass, Crested Dog's-tail, Crested Hair-grass, Cultivated Oat, Curved Hard Grass, Cut Grass, Dense Silky Bent, Downy Oat-grass, Drooping Brome Grass, Drooping Tor Grass, Dune Fescue, Early Hair-grass, Early Meadow-grass, Early Sand-grass, False Brome Grass, False Oat-grass, Fern Grass, Fine-leaved Sheep's Fescue, Flattened Meadow-grass, Floating Sweet-grass, Foxtail Barley, French Oat, Giant Fescue, Glaucous Meadow-grass, Great Brome Grass, Greater Quaking Grass, Grey Hair-grass, Hairy Brome Grass, Hairy Finger-grass, Hard Fescue, Hard Grass, Harestail Grass, Heath Grass, Holy Grass, Hybrid Marram Grass, Italian Rye Grass, Knotroot Bristlegrass, Lesser Hairy Brome Grass, Lesser Quaking Grass, Loose Silky Bent, Lyme Grass, Marram Grass, Marsh Foxtail, Mat Grass, Mat-grass Fescue, Meadow Barley, Meadow Fescue, Meadow Foxtail, Meadow Oat-grass, Mountain Melick, Narrow-leaved Meadow-grass, Narrow-leaved Small-reed, Neglected Couch Grass, Nit Grass, Orange Foxtail, Pampas Grass, Perennial Rye Grass, Plicate Sweet-grass, Purple Moor-grass, Purple Small-reed, Purple-stem Catstail, Quaking Grass, Ratstail Fescue, Red Fescue, Reed Canary Grass, Reed Sweet-grass, Reflexed Saltmarsh Grass, Rescue Grass, Rough Meadow-grass, Rush-leaved Fescue, Sand Catstail, Sand Couch Grass, Scandinavian Small-reed, Scottish Small-reed, Sea Barley, Sea Couch Grass, Sea Fern Grass, Sheep's Fescue, Silver Hair-grass, Six-rowed Barley, Slender Brome Grass, Small Cord-grass, Small Sweet-grass, Smaller Catstail, Smooth Brome Grass, Smooth Cord-grass, Smooth Finger-grass, Smooth Meadow-grass, Soft Brome Grass, Somerset Hair-grass, Sorghum, Spreading Meadow-grass, Squirreltail Fescue, Stiff Brome Grass, Stiff Saltmarsh Grass, Sweet Vernal Grass, Tall Fescue, Timothy Grass, Tor Grass, Tufted Hair-grass, Two-rowed Barley, Upright Brome Grass, Velvet Bent, Viviparous Fescue, Wall Barley, Wavy Hair-grass, Wavy Meadow-grass, Whorl Grass, Wild Oat, Wood Barley, Wood Fescue, Wood Meadow-grass, Wood Melick, Wood Millet, Yellow Oat-grass, Yorkshire Fog
Type:
Flower
Life Cycle:
Perennial
Maximum Size:
1 metre tall
Habitats:
Ditches, fields, gardens, grassland, heathland, hedgerows, meadows, saltmarshes, sand dunes, seaside, wasteland, wetland, woodland.

Flower:
֍
Green, no petals
 
Clusters of flower spikelets, usually awned. Spikelets have only one floret. Often purplish. Similar in appearance to Common Bent (Agrostis capillaris) but its flowerheads are less open. Wind pollinated.
Fruit:
A brown caryopsis (a type of dry one-seeded fruit).
Leaves:
A perennial grass with creeping runners. Flat leaves with long pointed ligules. Abundant all over the British Isles.
Other Names:
Butter Grass, Colonial Bentgrass, Fiorin.
Frequency (UK):
Abundant  

Similar Species

Annual Beard-grass

Black Bent

Bristle Bent

Common Bent
Common Bent

Other Information

Summary

Agrostis stolonifera, also known as creeping bentgrass or colonial bentgrass, is a species of grass in the family Poaceae. It is native to Europe and Asia, but has been introduced to other parts of the world as a turfgrass and forage crop. The grass has slender, creeping stems (called stolons) that root at the nodes and form dense mats. It has small, green leaves and produces small, inconspicuous flowers. Creeping bentgrass is commonly used on golf courses and in other turf applications, and its forage is used as livestock feed. There is not much information available about the potential medicinal use of Agrostis stolonifera.

Blog

Creeping Bent, Agrostis stolonifera: A Robust Grass Species for Your Lawn

Creeping Bent, also known as Agrostis stolonifera, is a species of grass that is native to Europe and Asia. It is a hardy species that is well adapted to a wide range of climates and growing conditions. In fact, it is so versatile that it is widely used as a lawn grass in many parts of the world.

One of the key benefits of Creeping Bent is its ability to grow and spread quickly. This makes it an ideal choice for lawns, where a fast-growing, dense coverage is desired. The grass has a stoloniferous habit, which means that it produces runners that spread out horizontally, allowing it to fill in bare spots and create a continuous carpet of green.

Another advantage of Creeping Bent is its tolerance to drought and low soil fertility. Unlike many other lawn grasses, it is able to thrive in a range of soil types, from sandy to heavy clay soils, and can withstand periods of drought without becoming stressed. This makes it an ideal choice for lawns that are difficult to maintain, such as those that are located in hot, dry climates.

When it comes to maintenance, Creeping Bent is relatively low-maintenance. It is not particularly susceptible to disease or pests, and it can be mowed to a relatively low height without causing damage to the grass. However, it is important to note that it can be invasive, especially in areas where it is not well managed. For this reason, it is important to establish clear boundaries for your lawn and to control the spread of runners into adjacent areas.

In terms of appearance, Creeping Bent has a fine to medium-textured leaf, and its leaves are typically a bright green color. It has a relatively low growth habit, which makes it ideal for lawns that are not subjected to heavy foot traffic, such as residential lawns or golf course fairways.

Another benefit of Creeping Bent is its wear tolerance. It is a tough grass species that is able to withstand heavy foot traffic and regular mowing, making it an ideal choice for high-use areas such as sports fields and parks.

Additionally, Creeping Bent is a low-allergen grass species, making it a good choice for people who suffer from allergies. Unlike some other lawn grasses, it does not produce significant amounts of pollen or other allergens, so it is less likely to cause symptoms in people who are sensitive to these allergens.

When establishing a lawn with Creeping Bent, it is important to choose a well-draining soil, as the grass does not tolerate waterlogged conditions. In addition, it is important to fertilize the lawn regularly to promote healthy growth and to maintain the grass's attractive appearance.

In terms of maintenance, Creeping Bent should be mowed regularly to maintain its desired height and to prevent the grass from becoming too thick and dense. It is also important to keep the lawn weed-free, as weeds can compete with the grass for nutrients and moisture.

Overall, Creeping Bent is a versatile, low-maintenance grass species that is well-suited to a wide range of growing conditions. Whether you are looking for a lawn for your home or for a sports field, it is definitely worth considering this hardy and attractive grass species.

It's important to mention that Creeping Bent is an important habitat for wildlife. The grass provides shelter and food for many species of birds and insects, and it can help to create a diverse and thriving ecosystem in your yard.

In terms of environmental impact, Creeping Bent is a relatively low-maintenance grass species, which means that it requires fewer resources and less maintenance than some other lawn grasses. This can help to reduce your carbon footprint and to conserve resources, making it a more sustainable choice for your lawn.

When choosing Creeping Bent for your lawn, it's important to consider your specific needs and conditions. For example, if you live in a hot, dry climate, it may be important to choose a drought-tolerant cultivar, while in areas with heavy rainfall, a cultivar that is more resistant to disease may be a better choice.

It's also worth noting that Creeping Bent can be used for more than just lawns. In landscaping, it can be used in parks and other public areas, along with roadsides and in erosion control projects. Its quick spreading habit and strong roots make it an excellent choice for stabilizing soil and reducing erosion.

In the golf industry, Creeping Bent is widely used as a turf grass for golf course fairways and greens. It is known for its fine texture, dense growth habit, and excellent wear tolerance, making it a popular choice among golf course superintendents.

In addition to its versatility, Creeping Bent is also a highly adaptable grass species. It is able to grow in a wide range of soils and climates, making it a popular choice for lawns and landscaping projects all over the world. Whether you are looking for a grass species for a warm, dry climate or a cool, moist one, Creeping Bent is likely to be a good choice.

In conclusion, Creeping Bent is a robust, adaptable, and versatile grass species that has a wide range of uses and benefits. Whether you are looking for a lawn for your home, a sports field, a park, or a golf course, it is definitely worth considering this hardy and attractive grass species.

Distribution Map

Reproduced by kind permission of the BSBI.

Click to open an Interactive Map