Autumn bent (Agrostis perennans, Amer. J. Sci. Arts 45: 44 (1843))

Family: Poaceae

Author: (Walter) Tuck.

Bibliography: Amer. J. Sci. Arts 45: 44 (1843)

Year: 1843

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Agrostis

Vegetable: False

Observations: N. & C. America, Hispaniola, Venezuela to S. South America

Description

Autumn bent, scientifically known as Agrostis perennans, is a remarkable grass species that finds its roots in various regions across the globe. Belonging to the Poaceae family, this resilient grass makes its presence known from the northern and central parts of America, extending its reach to the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, and further south to Venezuela and the southernmost parts of South America.

First described in the year 1843 as documented in the American Journal of Science and Arts, volume 45, on page 44, Autumn bent was classified by Tuckerman, who closely studied and identified the distinguishing features of this plant species.

Autumn bent thrives in diverse environments, showcasing its adaptability and resilience. The grass is primarily found in temperate zones, where it contributes to the ecological balance by providing ground cover and playing a vital role in preventing soil erosion. Its presence is often noted in open fields, grasslands, and sometimes in wetter, marshy areas where it can flourish abundantly.

The plant’s physiological attributes highlight its capability to withstand various climates, benefiting the ecosystems where it is naturally found. Autumn bent’s role in its native habitats underpins the importance of grass species in maintaining the health and stability of these regions.

In summary, Autumn bent, with its extensive geographical spread and ecological contributions, stands as a significant species within the Poaceae family. Its historical identification and continued prevalence underscore its importance in the natural world, supporting both flora and fauna in numerous environments across the Americas.

Common Names

Eng: autumn bent, upland bent, upland bent grass, perennial bentgrass, upland bentgrass, autumn bentgrass
Fra: agrostide perennant, agrostide pérennante, agrostis pérennant
En: Autumn bent, Upland bent, Upland bent grass, Upland bentgrass, AUTUMM BENTGRASS, Perennial Bentgrass, Autumn bentgrass
Fr: Agrostide perennant, Agrostide pérennante, Agrostis pérennant
De: Mittleres Straußgras

Synonyms

• Agrostis violacea (Phil.)
• Agrostis novae-angliae (Tuck.)
• Agrostis altissima ((Walter) Tuck.)
• Agrostis cornucopiae (Sm.)
• Trichodium altissimum ((Walter) Alph.Wood)
• Agrostis tenuifolia var. fretensis (Hook.f.)
• Trichodium altissimum var. laxum ((Tuck.) Alph.Wood)
• Agrostis hyemalis var. elata ((Pursh) Fernald)
• Trichodium perennans ((Walter) Elliott)
• Trichodium noveboracense ((Spreng.) Schult. & Schult.f.)
• Agrostis kufuim (Speg.)
• Agrostis chinantlae (E.Fourn.)
• Agrostis humboldtiana (Steud.)
• Agrostis perennans var. humilis (Farw.)
• Agrostis perennans var. aestivalis (Vasey)
• Agrostis altissima var. laxa (Tuck.)
• Agrostis scabra var. perennans ((Walter) Alph.Wood)
• Agrostis noveboracensis (Spreng.)
• Agrostis anomala (Willd.)
• Vilfa fasciculata (Kunth)
• Agrostis elata ((Pursh) Trin.)
• Agrostis elegans (Salisb.)
• Agrostis fasciculata ((Kunth) Roem. & Schult.)
• Cornucopiae altissima (Walter)
• Agrostis aberrans (Steud.)
• Agrostis flavidula (Steud.)
• Agrostis scribneriana (Nash)
• Agrostis hyemalis var. oreophila ((Trin.) Farw.)
• Agrostis schiedeana (Trin.)
• Vilfa elegans (Kunth)
• Agrostis perennans f. atherophora (Fernald)
• Agrostis exarata var. angustifolia (Hack.)
• Alopecurus carolinianus (Spreng.)
• Trichodium muehlenbergianum (Schult.)
• Cornucopiae perennans (Walter)
• Agrostis perennans var. elata ((Pursh) Hitchc.)
• Agrostis perennans f. chaetophora (Fernald)
• Trichodium elatum (Pursh)
• Cornucopiae altissimum (Walter)
• Agrostis pseudointermedia (Farw.)
• Agrostis canina subsp. grandiflora (Hack.)
• Agrostis schweinitzii (Trin.)
• Trichodium decumbens (Michx.)
• Agrostis weberbaueri (Mez)
• Trichodium affine (Willd. ex Steud.)
• Agrostis michauxii (Trin.)
• Agrostis campyla (Tuck.)
• Agrostis oreophila (Trin.)
• Agrostis intermedia (Scribn.)

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Argentina Northeast (native)
• Argentina Northwest (native)
• Argentina South (native)
• Arkansas (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• California (native)
• Chile Central (native)
• Chile South (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Delaware (native)
• District of Columbia (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• Florida (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Haiti (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Iowa (native)
• Kansas (native)
• Kentucky (native)
• Louisiana (native)
• Maine (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Mississippi (native)
• Missouri (native)
• Nebraska (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New York (native)
• Newfoundland (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• North Dakota (native)
• Nova Scotia (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Oklahoma (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Peru (native)
• Prince Edward I. (native)
• Québec (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• South Dakota (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Texas (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Virginia (native)
• Washington (native)
• West Virginia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Madagascar (introduced)

Additional Images

Habit

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − John Hilty (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − John Hilty (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − John Hilty (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − John Hilty (cc-by-nc)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2706477)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:1128639-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Agrostis perennans (Walter) Tuck.)

Specifications

Growth form: Rhizomatous

Growth habit: Graminoid

Growth rate: Moderate

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 5.5