Rough dog’s-tail (Cynosurus echinatus, Sp. Pl.: 72 (1753))

Family: Poaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 72 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Cynosurus

Vegetable: False

Observations: Macaronesia, Medit. to W. Himalaya

Description

Rough dog’s-tail, known scientifically as Cynosurus echinatus, is an intriguing species within the Poaceae family, widely recognized for its distinct characteristics. First described by renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in the seminal work Species Plantarum in 1753, this grass species has piqued the curiosity of botanists and plant enthusiasts alike.

Rough dog’s-tail exhibits an impressive geographical distribution, thriving across regions from Macaronesia and the Mediterranean to the Western Himalayas. Its adaptability to diverse climatic conditions underlines the resilience and ecological versatility of the species.

This grass typically flourishes in dry open habitats where it contributes significantly to the plant community dynamics. Its distinguishing physical traits include its cylindrical inflorescence with a rough texture, which gives it the common name “rough dog’s-tail.” The inflorescence structure is an essential identification marker, particularly for those studying plant morphology and taxonomy.

Ecologically, Cynosurus echinatus plays a vital role in its native habitats, often serving as ground cover that helps prevent soil erosion, thus maintaining soil stability and health. Its presence within the Poaceae family highlights its close relationship with other important grasses that shape various ecosystems around the globe.

Additionally, the hardy nature of rough dog’s-tail makes it a subject of interest in ecological studies, particularly concerning species adaptation and distribution. This grass’s ability to survive in a range of environmental conditions offers insights into plant resilience mechanisms and their evolutionary success.

In summary, Cynosurus echinatus or rough dog’s-tail, with its widespread presence from Macaronesia to the Western Himalayas, represents an exemplary species of the Poaceae family. Its durable nature, distinctive morphology, and ecological importance make it a significant species for botanical studies and environmental understanding.

Common Names

Eng: bristly dogstail grass, rough dog’s-tail, hedgehog dogtail grass, bristly dogtail, bristly dogtail grass, hedgehog dog’s-tail, hedgehog dogtail
Deu: grannen-kammgras, igel-kammgras, igel-kammgras, grannen-k.
Dan: pindsvine-kamgræs
Ces: poháňka ježatá
Swe: taggäxing
Hun: tüskés cincor
Nld: stekelkamgras
Fra: crételle hérissée, crételle hérissée d’aiguilons, crételle épineuse, cynosure hérissé
Cym: rhonwellt y ci pigog, rhonwellt-y-ci pigog
En: Rough dog’s-tail, Bristly dogstail grass, Hedgehog dogtail grass, Bristly dogtail, Bristly dogtail grass, Hedgehog dog’s-tail, Hedgehog dogtail, Bristly Dogstail-grass, Bristly Dogstailgrass
Ar: ذيل الكلب القنفذي
Bg: Четинест сеноклас
Ca: Cinosur equinat
Cs: Poháňka ježatá
Da: Pindsvine-kamgræs
Nl: Stekelkamgras
Fi: Vihnesukapää
Fr: Crételle hérissée, Crételle hérissée d’aiguilons, Crételle épineuse, Cynosure hérissé, Crételle hérissée d’aiguillons
De: Grannen-Kammgras, Igel-Kammgras, Igel-Kammgras, Grannen-K., Stachel-Kammgras, Stacheliges Kammgras
He: זנב-כלב דוקרני
Hu: Tüskés cincor
It: Covetta comune
Sk: Hrebienka ježatá
Es: Cola de perro
Sv: Taggäxing
Cy: Rhonwellt-y-ci pigog, Rhonwellt y Ci Pigog

Synonyms

• Cynosurus castagnei (Jord. ex Martrin-Donos)
• Cynosurus erroneus (Jord. ex Martrin-Donos)
• Chrysurus echinatus var. purpureus (Gray)
• Cynosurus echinatus var. purpureus (P.Palau)
• Cynosurus hystrix (Pomel)
• Cynosurus echinatus var. oblongus (Mutel)
• Cynosurus echinatus subsp. hystrix ((Pomel) Trab.)
• Chrysurus echinatus ((L.) P.Beauv.)
• Cynosurus echinatus var. thracicus (Podp.)
• Cynosurus echinatus var. tangerinus (Pau)
• Cynosurus effusus var. hystrix ((Pomel) Maire)
• Cynosurus giganteus (Nyman)
• Cynosurus echinatus var. diklicii (Gajic)
• Chrysurus giganteus (Ten.)
• Cynosurus echinatus subvar. giganteus ((Ten.) Rouy)
• Chrysurus echinatus var. purpurascens (Ten.)
• Cynosurus echinatus f. foliosus (Bolzon)
• Cynosurus echinatus subsp. purpurascens ((Ten.) Arcang.)
• Cynosurus echinatus var. hystrix ((Pomel) Maire)
• Phalona echinata ((L.) Dumort.)
• Cynosurus echinatus var. giganteus ((Ten.) Mutel)
• Phalona castagnei (Fourr.)
• Falona echinata ((L.) Dumort.)
• Cynosurus echinatus var. erroneus ((Jord. ex Martrin-Donos) Gaut.)
• Cynosurus pygmaeus (Porta)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Azores (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• Egypt (native)
• France (native)
• Greece (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Madeira (native)
• Morocco (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Saudi Arabia (native)
• Selvagens (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Argentina South (introduced)
• Arkansas (introduced)
• Austria (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• Chile Central (introduced)
• Chile South (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Free State (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Hungary (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)
• Juan Fernández Is. (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Mexico Northwest (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Mississippi (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• Montana (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New Mexico (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• North European Russi (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Oklahoma (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Primorye (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Uruguay (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• West Virginia (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jun 15, 2008 by Tela Botanica − Daniel MATHIEU (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 17, 2020 by Luna Violite (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 12, 2019 by César Gonzalez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 7, 2020 by fran luis (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 30, 2020 by lopezlacasa (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jun 20, 2020 by Bernardo Sirca Bernardo Sirca (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 6, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 6, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 6, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 6, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 3, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 3, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jun 16, 2008 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu MENAND (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 27, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 27, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 27, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 20, 2020 by w jacky (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

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

Taken May 11, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 28, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 28, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Feb 3, 2008 by EOL − Keir Morse (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken May 28, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 3, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Claude FIGUREAU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 26, 2016 by EOL − chlorophilia (cc-by-nc)

Taken May 21, 2013 by EOL − Valter Jacinto (cc-by-nc-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.

© 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/2704394)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:329499-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Cynosurus echinatus L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Graminoid

Growth

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