Early hair grass (Aira praecox, Sp. Pl.: 65 (1753))

Family: Poaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 65 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Aira

Vegetable: False

Observations: Macaronesia, Europe to NW. Türkiye

Description

Early hair grass, scientifically known as Aira praecox, is a delicate and finely textured member of the Poaceae family. This species was first documented by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1753, as noted in his seminal work “Species Plantarum.”

Predominantly found across diverse regions, Early hair grass thrives in environments ranging from the Macaronesia islands to various parts of Europe, extending to the northwestern regions of Türkiye. This wide distribution highlights its adaptability to different climates and soil conditions.

Aira praecox is characterized by its slender, hair-like appearance, which lends the common name “early hair grass.” This grass species often flourishes in meadows and open woodlands, contributing to the intricate weave of the vegetation tapestry. Its role in these ecosystems is vital, offering both aesthetic qualities and ecological benefits, such as erosion control and habitat for various invertebrates.

Understanding the growth habits and regional specificity of Early hair grass can be invaluable for botanists, ecologists, and gardeners alike. It represents both a scientific curiosity and a natural asset, indicative of the rich biodiversity within the Poaceae family.

Common Names

Deu: frühe haferschmiele, früühe haferschmiele
Dan: tidlig dværgbunke
Eng: yellow hairgrass, early hair grass, early hair-grass, early hairgrass, small hair-grass, early silver hairgrass, little hairgrass, small hairgrass, spike hairgrass
Fra: canche printanière, canche précoce
Nld: vroege haver
Swe: vårtåtel
Cym: brigwellt, brigwellt cynnar, brigwellt y gwanwyn
En: Early hair grass, Yellow hairgrass, Early hair-grass, Early hairgrass, Small Hair-Grass, Early silver hairgrass, Little hairgrass, Small hairgrass, Spike hairgrass
Cs: Ovsíček časný
Da: Tidlig dværgbunke
Nl: Vroege haver
Fi: Kääpiölauha, Kääpiölauhio
Fr: Canche précoce, Canche printanière, Aïra précoce
De: Frühe Haferschmiele, Frühe Schmiele, Früher Schmielenhafer, Frühreife Haferschmiele, Früühe Haferschmiele
It: Nebbia precoce
Lt: Ankstyvoji smilgenė
Pl: Śmiałka wczesna
Sv: Vårtåtel
Cy: Brigwellt y gwanwyn, Brigwellt, Brigwellt Cynnar

Synonyms

• Avena pusilla (Weber)
• Airopsis praecox ((L.) Fr.)
• Aspris praecox ((L.) Nash)
• Airella praecox ((L.) Dumort.)
• Agrostis praecox ((L.) Salisb.)
• Avena nana (Kunze ex Steud.)
• Salmasia praecox ((L.) Bubani)
• Fussia praecox ((L.) Schur)
• Aira canescens var. praecox ((L.) Vill.)
• Caryophyllea praecox ((L.) Opiz)
• Avena caryophyllea praecox ((L.) Kuntze)
• Aira gmelinii (Honck.)
• Trisetum praecox ((L.) Dumort.)
• Avena praecox ((L.) P.Beauv.)
• Aira pusilla (Schur)

Distribution

• Azores (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Føroyar (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Krym (native)
• Madeira (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Norway (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Argentina South (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• Chatham Is. (introduced)
• Chile South (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Crozet Is. (introduced)
• Delaware (introduced)
• Falkland Is. (introduced)
• Juan Fernández Is. (introduced)
• Kerguelen (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• Nova Scotia (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Uruguay (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)

Additional Images

Habit

Taken May 21, 2004 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 23, 2006 by Tela Botanica − Julien BARATAUD (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jul 29, 2010 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu MENAND (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 2, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Aug 5, 2022 by Joseph Dupont (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 9, 2022 by Aurélie G. (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 31, 2020 by Schuller Ton (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 2, 2021 by Hans Mulder (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 2, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken May 2, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jun 8, 2022 by Romain Sauvion (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 3, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Emmanuel STRATMAINS (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 23, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Gérard LEVESLIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 29, 2010 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu MENAND (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 15, 2010 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

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

Taken Jun 3, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 3, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 31, 1847 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc-sa)

© 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/5289582)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:386818-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Aira praecox L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Graminoid

Growth

Bloom months: [‘apr’, ‘may’, ‘jun’]