Early sand grass (Mibora minima, Fl. Anjou: 46 (1827))

Family: Poaceae

Author: (L.) Desv.

Bibliography: Fl. Anjou: 46 (1827)

Year: 1827

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Mibora

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe, NW. Africa

Description

Early sand grass, scientifically known as Mibora minima, is a distinctive and interesting member of the Poaceae family. First described in the botanical publication “Flora Anjou” in 1827, this species has since captured the attention of botanists and ecologists alike.

This diminutive grass can be found across various regions in Europe and northwestern Africa. It typically thrives in sandy soils, which contributes to its common name. The adaptability of early sand grass to sandy environments highlights its ecological importance, especially in regions where such soil conditions prevail.

Mibora minima is especially noted for its role in stabilizing sandy habitats and preventing soil erosion. The deep and intricate root system of this grass species helps to bind the sand particles together, offering a critical service to the ecosystem by maintaining soil structure and promoting plant diversity in its native range.

While Mibora minima may not be as well-known as some of its larger relatives within the Poaceae family, it stands out due to its unique characteristics and the ecological niche it occupies. Its presence in both Europe and northwestern Africa indicates a wide adaptability to varying climate conditions within sandy terrains.

In conclusion, early sand grass serves as a small but vital component of its ecosystem. Its capacity to stabilize sandy soils and support local biodiversity underscores its significance, meriting further study and appreciation within the scope of grass species.

Common Names

Nld: dwerggras
Eng: early sandgrass, early sand grass, early sand-grass
Deu: kleines zwerggras, sand-zwerggras, zwerggras
Fra: mibora
Nob: dvergsandgras
Nno: dvergsandgras
Swe: pysslinggräs
Cym: eiddil-welltyn cynnar, eiddilwellt cynnar
Lat: mibora
En: Early sand grass, Early sandgrass, Early sand-grass
Nl: Dwerggras
Fr: Mibora, Mibora naine, Mibora printanière, Famine, Poil-de-chat
De: Kleines Zwerggras, Sand-Zwerggras, Zwerggras
It: Cappellini minori
La: Mibora
Nb: Dvergsandgras
Nn: Dvergsandgras
Es: Mibora mínima
Sv: Pysslinggräs
Cy: Eiddil-Welltyn Cynnar, Eiddilwellt Cynnar

Synonyms

• Agrostis minima (L.)
• Poa minima ((L.) Stokes)
• Mibora minima var. elongata ((Hack.) Husn.)
• Mibora minima subsp. littorea (S.Ortiz, Rodr.Oubiña & Guitián)
• Mibora verna (P.Beauv.)
• Mibora verna var. elongata ((Hack.) Rouy)
• Mibora minima var. desvauxii ((Lange) Cout.)
• Chamagrostis desvauxii ((Lange) Nyman)
• Chamagrostis minima ((L.) Borkh.)
• Chamagrostis littorea (Samp.)
• Mibora desvauxii (Lange)
• Chamagrostis verna (Sloboda)
• Knappia verna (Trin.)
• Knappia agrostidea (Sm.)
• Chamagrostis minima var. virescens (Döll)
• Chamagrostis minima var. elongata (Hack.)
• Mibora minima var. variegata (Zimm.)
• Knappia vernalis (Trin.)
• Sturmia minima ((L.) Hoppe)
• Mibora verna var. desvauxii ((Lange) Kobbada)
• Sturmia verna (Pers.)
• Mibora verna subsp. desvauxii ((Lange) Nyman)
• Mibora minima subsp. desvauxii ((Lange) K.Richt.)

Distribution

• Algeria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Spain (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Ireland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)

Additional Images

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

Fruit

Taken May 17, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

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

Taken May 17, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 17, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 23, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Mar 29, 2022 by Morgane (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 20, 2021 by Kinga Szelényi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 17, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

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

Taken Jan 27, 2021 by Laurent CIPIERE (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Apr 5, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yves PENIT (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 28, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Errol Vela (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 28, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Errol Vela (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 28, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Errol Vela (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 28, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Errol Vela (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Mar 3, 2019 by Tela Botanica − José Luis Romero Rego (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 17, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 17, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jun 10, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 28, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Errol Vela (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 10, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 28, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Errol Vela (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 15, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Jacques Maréchal (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Mar 15, 2005 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

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

Taken Feb 15, 2012 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 18, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 18, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2705682)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:1122217-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Mibora minima (L.) Desv.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Graminoid

Growth

Bloom months: [‘feb’, ‘mar’, ‘apr’, ‘may’]