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Bristle Bent

Agrostis curtisii

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.
For more information please download the BSBI Code of Conduct PDF document.

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, 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, 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:
60 centimetres tall
Habitats:
Grassland, heathland, moorland, roadsides, woodland.

Flower:
֍
Yellow, no petals
 
Yellowish-green flower spikelets.
Fruit:
The fruit is a caryopsis, typical of other grass species.
Leaves:
A conspicuously densely tufted grass with linear, hair-like leaves. The leaves are greyish. Perennial.
Other Names:
Curtis' Bentgrass.
Frequency (UK):
Unusual  

Similar Species

Creeping Bent

Other Information

Summary

Agrostis curtisii, also known as Curtis' bentgrass, is a species of grass native to North America. It is a perennial species that is often found in moist, shaded areas such as wooded slopes and ravines. Curtis' bentgrass is characterized by its long, narrow leaves and small, inconspicuous flowers. It is a low-growing species that forms dense tufts or clumps and is often used in landscaping and as a turf grass. Agrostis curtisii is tolerant of a wide range of growing conditions, including drought, and is resistant to many common turf grass diseases. It is also known for its ability to recover quickly from damage, making it a good choice for use in high-traffic areas.

Blog

Bristle Bent, also known as Agrostis curtisii, is a species of grass found in the western United States. This grass is a low-growing, tufted species that is commonly found in open woodlands, meadows, and other grasslands.

One of the defining characteristics of Bristle Bent is its long, stiff stems, which are covered in dense clusters of leaves and seed heads. These stems grow up to 40 centimeters in height, and are covered in tiny, bristle-like hairs, which give the grass its distinctive appearance.

Bristle Bent is a highly versatile species, and is well-adapted to a wide range of growing conditions. It is drought-resistant, and can tolerate cold temperatures, making it an ideal choice for gardens and landscaping projects in harsh climates. Additionally, it is a low-maintenance plant, and requires little care and attention once established.

Another important factor that sets Bristle Bent apart from other grass species is its exceptional tolerance of heavy foot traffic. This makes it an ideal choice for parks, hiking trails, and other public spaces, where it can withstand the wear and tear of regular use. Additionally, it is an excellent option for sports fields, as its dense, tightly-packed stems provide a firm, stable surface for athletes to play on.

Despite its many benefits, Bristle Bent is not widely cultivated, and is not commonly found in gardens and landscaping projects. This may be due to its relatively low profile, as it is not a particularly showy species, and its stiff stems and seed heads are not as attractive as some other grass species.

Bristle Bent is an important forage grass for livestock and wildlife, providing valuable food for many species of animals. It is a popular choice for wildlife habitats, as it is both nutritious and abundant, and is a vital source of food for many species of birds, mammals, and insects.

This grass is also known for its deep roots, which allow it to tap into water and nutrients deep below the surface of the soil. This makes it a resilient plant that is capable of thriving in even the harshest conditions. It is also known for its ability to regenerate quickly after being grazed, making it an important food source for livestock and wildlife.

In addition to its practical uses, Bristle Bent also has cultural significance. Native American tribes in the western United States have used this grass for centuries, both as a food source and for its cultural significance. It is woven into baskets, mats, and other traditional artifacts, and is a symbol of the relationship between humans and the natural world.

Despite its many benefits, Bristle Bent is not widely known or widely used in contemporary horticulture. It is a relatively obscure species that is often overshadowed by more well-known grasses, such as fescues, bluegrasses, and ryegrasses. However, for those who are looking for a versatile and low-maintenance option for their garden, or who are interested in preserving the cultural significance of this species, Bristle Bent is well worth considering.

Bristle Bent is an important forage grass for livestock and wildlife, providing valuable food for many species of animals. It is a popular choice for wildlife habitats, as it is both nutritious and abundant, and is a vital source of food for many species of birds, mammals, and insects.

This grass is also known for its deep roots, which allow it to tap into water and nutrients deep below the surface of the soil. This makes it a resilient plant that is capable of thriving in even the harshest conditions. It is also known for its ability to regenerate quickly after being grazed, making it an important food source for livestock and wildlife.

In addition to its practical uses, Bristle Bent also has cultural significance. Native American tribes in the western United States have used this grass for centuries, both as a food source and for its cultural significance. It is woven into baskets, mats, and other traditional artifacts, and is a symbol of the relationship between humans and the natural world.

Despite its many benefits, Bristle Bent is not widely known or widely used in contemporary horticulture. It is a relatively obscure species that is often overshadowed by more well-known grasses, such as fescues, bluegrasses, and ryegrasses. However, for those who are looking for a versatile and low-maintenance option for their garden, or who are interested in preserving the cultural significance of this species, Bristle Bent is well worth considering.

Bristle Bent is also known for its exceptional ecological value. It is a key species in many grassland ecosystems, providing vital habitat for a wide range of wildlife species. It is an important component of many native grassland communities, and is critical for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem health.

In addition to its ecological value, Bristle Bent also has significant conservation value. Due to its rarity and declining populations, it is listed as a species of special concern in some states. Conservation efforts are underway to protect and preserve this species, and to restore its populations in areas where it has become threatened.

Finally, Bristle Bent is a great choice for those who are interested in sustainable and environmentally-friendly gardening practices. It is a low-maintenance plant that requires little water and fertilizer, and it is a great option for gardeners who are looking to reduce their impact on the environment. Additionally, its deep roots and resilience make it a great choice for xeriscaping, or landscaping with drought-tolerant plants.

In conclusion, Bristle Bent is a versatile, low-maintenance, and ecologically valuable species of grass that is well-suited to a wide range of growing conditions. Whether you're looking for a food source for livestock and wildlife, a culturally significant option for your garden, or an environmentally-friendly choice for xeriscaping, Bristle Bent is a plant that is well worth considering.

Distribution Map

Reproduced by kind permission of the BSBI.

Click to open an Interactive Map