Dense silky-bent (Apera interrupta, Ess. Agrostogr.: 31 (1812))

Family: Poaceae

Author: (L.) P.Beauv.

Bibliography: Ess. Agrostogr.: 31 (1812)

Year: 1812

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Apera

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe to W. Pakistan, NW. Africa

Description

Dense silky-bent, scientifically known as Apera interrupta, is a fascinating grass species that belongs to the Poaceae family. This annual grass has a notable presence across various regions, spanning from Europe to Western Pakistan and Northwestern Africa. Its adaptability to different climates and soil types has contributed to its widespread distribution.

Apera interrupta was first described in depth in 1812, as documented in P.Beauv’s seminal work on grasses, “Ess. Agrostogr.,” where it appears on page 31. The grass is characterized by its delicate, silky inflorescences and its interrupted spikelets, which give it a distinctive appearance compared to other grasses in its genus.

Dense silky-bent thrives in a variety of habitats, often favoring well-drained soils in open fields, grasslands, and disturbed areas. It plays an important role in these ecosystems by providing food and habitat for various microorganisms and insects. Additionally, in some regions, it may be considered a weed due to its ability to spread rapidly and compete with crops and native plants.

The plant’s unique structure and resilience make it an interesting subject of study for botanists and ecologists alike, who seek to understand its ecological impact, evolutionary adaptations, and potential uses in land management and restoration projects.

Common Names

Dan: alvar-vindaks
Eng: dense silky-bent, dense silkybent, interrupted wind grass, dense silky bentgrass, breckland bent, dense silky bent, interrupted aptera, interrupted bentgrass, interrupted windgrass
Deu: unterbrochener windhalm
Fra: apère interrompue, agrostide interrompue, agrostide à panicule interrompue, agrostis interrompu, agrostis à panicule interrompue
Nld: stijve windhalm
Nno: alvarkvein
Nob: alvarkvein
Swe: alvarkösa, alvarven
Cym: maeswellt sidanaidd trwchus, sidanwellt trwchus
En: Dense Silky-bent, Dense silkybent, Interrupted wind grass, Dense silky bentgrass, Breckland Bent, Dense silky bent, Interrupted aptera, Interrupted bentgrass, Interrupted windgrass
Da: Alvar-vindaks
Nl: Stijve windhalm, Sijve Windhalm
Fr: Apère interrompue, Agrostide interrompue, Agrostide à panicule interrompue, Agrostis interrompu, Agrostis à panicule interrompue, Apéra interrompue
De: Unterbrochener Windhalm
It: Cappellini sottili
Nb: Alvarkvein
Nn: Alvarkvein
Sv: Alvarkösa, Alvarven
Cy: Maeswellt Sidanaidd Trwchus, Sidanwellt Trwchus

Synonyms

• Anemagrostis interrupta ((L.) Trin.)
• Agrostis anemagrostis subsp. interrupta ((L.) Syme)
• Apera interrupta var. humilis (Sennen)
• Apera spica-venti subsp. interrupta ((L.) Husn.)
• Agrostis spica-venti var. interrupta ((L.) Clairv.)
• Apera spica-venti var. interrupta ((L.) Beal)
• Agrestis interrupta ((L.) Bubani)
• Agrostis spica-venti var. coarctata (Neilr.)
• Muhlenbergia interrupta ((L.) Steud.)
• Apera spica-venti f. pygmaea ((Fr.) Neuman)
• Milium interruptum ((L.) Lag.)
• Agrostis interrupta (L.)
• Cynosurus splendens (Ten. ex Roem. & Schult.)
• Agrostis spica-venti subsp. interrupta ((L.) Bonnier & Layens)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Austria (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Romania (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Argentina Northwest (introduced)
• Argentina South (introduced)
• Arizona (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Chile Central (introduced)
• Colorado (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Idaho (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Indiana (introduced)
• Maine (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• Montana (introduced)
• Nevada (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New Mexico (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• South Dakota (introduced)
• Utah (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)
• Wyoming (introduced)

Additional Images

Fruit

Taken May 15, 2019 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 15, 2019 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jun 11, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Jame LAGARRIGUE (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken May 15, 2010 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Habit

Taken Jul 15, 2018 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2001 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken May 15, 2010 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

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

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

Bark

Taken May 15, 2019 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Other

Taken May 15, 2019 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 15, 2019 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 15, 2019 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

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

Leaf

Taken May 23, 2015 by Tela Botanica − David MERCIER (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 23, 2015 by Tela Botanica − David MERCIER (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5289643)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:389070-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Apera interrupta (L.) P.Beauv.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Graminoid

Growth

Bloom months: [‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’]