Curved sicklegrass (Parapholis incurva, Blumea, Suppl. 3: 14 (1946))

Family: Poaceae

Author: (L.) C.E.Hubb.

Bibliography: Blumea, Suppl. 3: 14 (1946)

Year: 1946

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Parapholis

Vegetable: False

Observations: Macaronesia, W. Europe to Medit. and Pakistan

Description

Curved sicklegrass, scientifically known as Parapholis incurva, is a distinctive species belonging to the Poaceae family. It is a grass commonly identified by its unique curved inflorescences, which resemble a sickle, hence the name “curved sicklegrass.”

This species is native to a broad geographical range, with its presence documented across Macaronesia, Western Europe, the Mediterranean region, and even extending to Pakistan. Its adaptability to various climates makes it a notable grass in these regions, thriving in diverse ecological conditions.

The grass was first described under its current classification by the botanist C.E. Hubbard in 1946, in a supplementary volume of Blumea. Known historically under the authorship notation (L.) C.E.Hubb., Parapholis incurva has since been studied for its ecological and botanical significance.

The growth habit of Parapholis incurva is one of its most striking features. It tends to form dense, mat-like colonies, often found in salty conditions, such as coastal areas and salt marshes. This adaptability to saline environments underlines its importance in studying salt tolerance in plants.

In summary, curved sicklegrass is a fascinating species within the Poaceae family, notable for its distinctive curved grass heads, wide geographic distribution, and ecological adaptability. It remains a subject of interest for botanists and ecologists, contributing valuable insights into plant resilience and distribution.

Common Names

Eng: curved sicklegrass, coast barb grass, curly-ryegrass, curved hard grass, curved sea hard grass, sickle grass, curved hard-grass, coast barbgrass, curly barbgrass, curved hardgrass, curved sea hardgrass, sicklegrass
Nld: kromstaart
Fra: lepture courbé
Cym: caledwellt cam, corwellt y morfa, corwelltyn camaidd
En: Curved sicklegrass, Coast barb grass, Curly-ryegrass, Curved hard grass, Curved sea hard grass, Sickle grass, Curved Hard-grass, Coast barbgrass, Curly barbgrass, Curved hardgrass, Curved sea hardgrass, Sicklegrass
Nl: Kromstaart
Fr: Lepture courbé
De: Gekrümmter Dünnschwanz
He: דק-זנב קשתני
It: Loglierella ricurva
Cy: Caledwellt Cam, Corwellt y Morfa, Corwelltyn Camaidd

Synonyms

• Avena carmelii (Boiss.)
• Pholiurus incurvus ((L.) Schinz & Thell.)
• Aegilops incurva (L.)
• Lepturus incurvatus (Trin.)
• Pholiurus incurvatus ((Hook.f.) Hitchc.)
• Lepturus filiformis subsp. incurvatus ((L.) Andersson)
• Lepidurus incurvus ((L.) Janch.)
• Lepturus rottboellii (Münter)
• Rottboellia incurvata (L.f.)
• Pholiurus incurvus subsp. incurvatus ((Hook.f.) Maire)
• Ophiuros incurvatus (P.Beauv.)
• Agrostis incurvata (Scop.)
• Lepturus filiformis var. incurvatus (Hook.f.)
• Lepturus incurvatus var. tortus (Bab.)
• Lepturus incurvatus var. secundus (Lojac.)
• Nardus articulata (L.)
• Rottboellia incurva ((L.) Roem. & Schult.)
• Lepturus incurvatus f. minor (Hausskn.)
• Aegilops incurvata (L.)
• Lepturus incurvatus f. major (Hausskn.)
• Lepturus incurvus subsp. incurvatus ((Hook.f.) Briq.)
• Lepiurus incurvatus (Dumort.)
• Lepturus incurvus ((L.) Druce)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• Egypt (native)
• France (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Gulf States (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Krym (native)
• Kuwait (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Madeira (native)
• Morocco (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Oman (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Saudi Arabia (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Sinai (native)
• Spain (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Argentina South (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• Chile Central (introduced)
• China Southeast (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Delaware (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Korea (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Mexico Northwest (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Mississippi (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Uruguay (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken May 17, 2021 by grazia perrone (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 21, 2022 by Eva Vandercarre (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 13, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu MENAND (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 13, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu MENAND (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 7, 2019 by Marianne Marianne (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 19, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Patrick Leboulenger (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 17, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 17, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 17, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 17, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Aug 13, 2021 by guasch vicente (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jul 11, 2019 by Lezaun Juan Antonio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 30, 2021 by Fabrizio Fabrizio Tatti (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 15, 2007 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken May 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Other

Taken Apr 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Apr 15, 2011 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken May 12, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 12, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Hugues TINGUY (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Apr 13, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 1, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 13, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu MENAND (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 1, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 1, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

© 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/5290069)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:413701-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Parapholis incurva (L.) C.E.Hubb.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Graminoid

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 9

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Bloom months: [‘apr’, ‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’]

Soil nutriments: 5

Soil salinity: 4