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Dense Silky Bent

Apera interrupta

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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 Bent, Creeping Soft-grass, Crested Dog's-tail, Crested Hair-grass, Cultivated Oat, Curved Hard Grass, Cut Grass, 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:
40 centimetres tall
Habitats:
Fields, grassland, heathland, meadows, roadsides, wasteland.

Flower:
֍
Purple, no petals
 
Purplish-red or green flower spikelets. The inflorescence is narrower than that of the similar looking Loose Silky Bent Grass (Apera spica-venti).
Fruit:
The fruit is a caryopsis.
Leaves:
An annual grass. Linear leaves. Similar to Loose Silky Bent but with narrower leaves and a more pointed ligule.
Other Names:
Blue Bentgrass, Dense Silky Bentgrass, Interrupted Windgrass, Wind Grass.
Frequency (UK):
Unusual  

Similar Species

Loose Silky Bent

Other Information

Summary

Apera interrupta, also known as interrupted windgrass or blue 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. The grass has slender stems with small, green leaves and produces small, inconspicuous flowers. Interrupted windgrass is commonly found in grasslands, meadows, and along roadsides. There is not much information available about the potential medicinal use of Apera interrupta.

Blog

Dense Silky Bent (Apera interrupta) – A Beautiful and Valuable Grass

Dense Silky Bent, also known as Apera interrupta, is a species of grass that is native to Europe and Asia. It is a valuable species that is used for several purposes, including as a cover crop, for soil improvement, and for ornamental purposes.

One of the main features of Dense Silky Bent is its beautiful appearance. This grass has a dense, silky texture and a bright green color that makes it a popular choice for ornamental purposes. It is often used in landscaping and gardening to create attractive, low-maintenance gardens.

In addition to its ornamental value, Dense Silky Bent is also a highly valued cover crop. It is a hardy species that is able to tolerate a range of growing conditions, making it a popular choice for farmers and gardeners alike. When grown as a cover crop, it helps to suppress weeds and improve soil health, making it an essential part of many agricultural systems.

Soil improvement is another key benefit of Dense Silky Bent. This grass has a deep, extensive root system that helps to aerate the soil and improve its structure. By breaking up compacted soil and increasing soil organic matter, Dense Silky Bent helps to promote healthy plant growth and improves the overall health of the soil.

Aside from its practical benefits, Dense Silky Bent is also a great choice for wildlife habitat. It provides a valuable food source for a variety of birds and other wildlife, and it also provides a safe and sheltered place for many species to nest and raise their young. By planting Dense Silky Bent in your garden or farm, you can help to support a thriving and diverse ecosystem, which is essential for the health of the planet.

Another important aspect of Dense Silky Bent is its resistance to pests and diseases. Unlike many other grass species, Dense Silky Bent is highly resistant to most common pests and diseases, which makes it a low-maintenance species that is easy to care for. This resistance to pests and diseases helps to reduce the need for harmful chemicals in agriculture and gardening, making it an environmentally friendly choice.

Finally, Dense Silky Bent is a highly adaptable species that is able to grow in a range of soils and conditions. It is able to thrive in both heavy and light soils, and it is able to tolerate both wet and dry conditions. This makes it a versatile species that is suitable for use in many different types of gardens and agricultural systems, making it a popular choice for farmers and gardeners all over the world.

Another interesting feature of Dense Silky Bent is its ability to grow quickly. This grass is a fast-growing species that is able to establish itself quickly and form a dense, lush carpet of green. This makes it ideal for use in erosion control projects, where it can be used to quickly stabilize and protect soil on sloped or exposed areas.

In terms of maintenance, Dense Silky Bent is a low-maintenance species that requires very little care once established. It is a hardy species that is able to withstand periods of drought, making it ideal for use in areas with limited rainfall. Additionally, it requires very little mowing or maintenance, making it an ideal choice for low-maintenance gardens and landscaping projects.

When planting Dense Silky Bent, it is important to choose the right location. This species prefers full sun to partial shade, and it is able to grow in a range of soils. It is also a low-growing species that is ideal for use as a groundcover or for planting in areas where tall grasses would be inappropriate.

In conclusion, Dense Silky Bent is a highly versatile and valuable grass species that offers a range of benefits for gardeners, farmers, and the environment. Whether you are looking to improve your soil, create a beautiful and low-maintenance garden, or support a thriving wildlife habitat, Dense Silky Bent is an excellent choice. With its fast growth, low maintenance, and adaptability, it is a species that is sure to be an asset to any landscape.

Distribution Map

Reproduced by kind permission of the BSBI.

Click to open an Interactive Map