Spreading bent (Agrostis stolonifera, Sp. Pl.: 62 (1753))

Family: Poaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 62 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Agrostis

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Madeira, Temp. Eurasia, N. Africa to Chad

Description

Spreading bent, scientifically known as Agrostis stolonifera, is a perennial grass species that belongs to the Poaceae family. First described by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work “Species Plantarum” in 1753, this grass has established a wide geographical range.

Native to temperate regions of Eurasia, Madeira, and extending southwards to northern Africa and reaching as far as Chad, Agrostis stolonifera is well-adapted to a variety of environmental conditions. This adaptability has contributed to its widespread distribution and ecological success.

Characterized by its creeping stolons, which enable it to spread extensively, the spreading bent plays a significant role in various habitats. It is particularly valued in turfgrass applications, such as golf courses and lawns, due to its dense, low-growing habit and ability to establish a resilient ground cover.

The plant thrives in moist, fertile soils and often colonizes areas with ample water availability, such as riverbanks, wetlands, and meadows. Its fine-textured leaves and ability to recover from frequent mowing or grazing make it a preferred choice for creating smooth, even surfaces in landscaped areas.

Despite its benefits in managed landscapes, spreading bent can sometimes become invasive in natural ecosystems, outcompeting native flora and altering habitat dynamics. Management strategies are often employed to control its spread and mitigate its ecological impact in such contexts.

In summary, Agrostis stolonifera, or spreading bent, is a versatile and widespread grass species with considerable importance in both managed and natural environments. Its broad adaptability and robust growth patterns underscore its significance within the Poaceae family and its global distribution.

Common Names

Eng: creeping bent, creeping bent grass, creeping bentgrass, fiorin, spreading bent, creeping bent, fiorin, carpet bentgrass, redtop
Deu: flechtstraußgras, kriechendes straussgras, weißes straußgras
Dan: kryb-hvene
Ita: agrostide palustre, agrostide stolonifera, cappellini comuni
Fra: agrostide stolonifère, agrostis stolonifère
Spa: agróstide estolonífera
Nld: fioringras
Nor: kryphvine, krypkjøse
Nno: krypkvein
Nob: krypkvein
Swe: krypven, rönsyrölli
Fin: rönsyrölli
Sme: njagoávji
Cym: maeswellt gwyn y coed, maeswellt gwyn y maes, maeswellt gwyn y waun, maeswellt rhedegog, maeswellt y gwlypdir
En: Spreading bent, Creeping bent, Creeping bent grass, Fiorin, Creeping bentgrass, Creeping bent, fiorin, Carpet bentgrass, Redtop, White Bent
Ca: Agrostis blanca
Zh: Xi bo li ya jian gu ying
Da: Kryb-hvene
Nl: Fioringras, Wit Struisgras
Fi: Rönsyrölli
Fr: Agrostide stolonifère, Agrostis stolonifère, Agrostide blanche, Agrostis blanc, Fiorin, Traînasse
De: Flechtstraußgras, Weißes Straußgras, Kriechendes Straussgras, Kriechendes Straußgras, Strand-Straußgras
He: נחלית השלוחות
It: Agrostide stolonifera, Agrostide palustre, Cappellini Comuni
Se: Njagoávji
No: Kryphvine, Krypkjøse
Nb: Krypkvein
Nn: Krypkvein
Ru: Polevica pobegonosnaâ
Es: Agróstide estolonífera, Agrostide estolonifera, Heno gris
Sv: Krypven, Rönsyrölli
Cy: Maeswellt Gwyn y Coed, Maeswellt Gwyn y Maes, Maeswellt Gwyn y Waun, Maeswellt Rhedegog, Maeswellt y Gwlypdir

Synonyms

• Agrostis mutabilis (Knapp)
• Agrostis depressa (Vasey)
• Agrostis alba var. narbonensis (Henriq.)
• Agrostis sibthorpii (Steud.)
• Agrostis alba var. laevigata (Blytt)
• Sporobolus gaudichaudii ((Steud.) Albov)
• Agrostis alba var. gracilis (Uechtr.)
• Agrostis ambigua (Roem. & Schult.)
• Agrostis alba var. compacta (Bréb.)
• Agrostis alba var. karsensis ((Litv.) Schischk.)
• Agrostis stolonifera var. patula (Kirschl.)
• Agrostis alba var. straminea (J.Woods)
• Agrostis sinaica (Boiss.)
• Agrostis alba f. natans (Glück)
• Agrostis stolonizans (Besser)
• Sporobolus gaditanus (Boiss. & Reut.)
• Agrostis stolonifera var. aristata (Rchb.)
• Milium stoloniferum ((L.) Lag.)
• Agrostis stolonifera f. gracilis ((Asch. & Graebn.) Soó)
• Agrostis alba var. pallida (Spenn.)
• Vilfa decumbens ((Host) P.Beauv.)
• Agrostis alba subsp. straminea ((Hartm.) K.Richt.)
• Agrostis stolonifera var. viridula (Andersson)
• Agrostis nemoralis (Phil.)
• Agrostis multicaulis (Kit.)
• Agrostis palustris var. stolonifera ((L.) Druce)
• Agrostis alba var. scabriglumis ((Boiss. & Reut.) Boiss.)
• Agrostis stolonifera var. pseudopungens ((Lange) Kerguélen)
• Agrostis stolonifera subvar. salina (Jansen & Wacht.)
• Agrostis alba var. decumbens ((Gaudin) Heer)
• Agrostis stolonifera subsp. filifolia ((Link) H.Scholz)
• Agrostis alba var. prorepens ((W.D.J.Koch) Asch.)
• Agrostis alba var. natans (Glück)
• Agrostis stolonifera var. narbonensis ((Malinv.) Portal)
• Agrostis jacutica (Schischk.)
• Agrostis stolonifera var. densiflora ((Guss.) Chiov.)
• Agrostis brevis (Knapp)
• Agrostis alba f. substerilis (Zapal.)
• Agrostis scabriglumis (Boiss. & Reut.)
• Agrostis bryoides (Dumort.)
• Agrostis straminea (Hartm.)
• Agrostis alba var. pseudopungens ((Lange) Asch. & Graebn.)
• Agrostis palustris (Huds.)
• Agrostis alba subsp. gaditana ((Boiss. & Reut.) Cout.)
• Agrostis stolonifera f. humilis (Soó)
• Agrostis dulcis ((Pers.) Sibth. ex Kunth)
• Agrostis densissima ((Hack.) Druce)
• Agrostis alba var. lutescens (Junge)
• Agrostis exarata var. stolonifera (Vasey)
• Agrostis stolonifera var. subchlorantha (Schur)
• Agrostis neglecta (Schult.)
• Agrostis alba var. albida ((Trin.) Griseb.)
• Agrostis transcaspica (Litv.)
• Agrostis candollei (Parl.)
• Agrostis stolonifera var. nievrensis (Portal)
• Agrostis stolonifera f. caespitosa ((Schur) Soó)
• Agrostis stolonifera var. compacta (Hartm.)
• Agrostis alba var. glaucescens (J.Woods)
• Agrostis alba var. subrepens (Bab.)
• Agrostis stolonifera f. patula ((Gaudin) Beldie)
• Agrostis vulgaris var. frondosa (Lange)
• Agrostis alba var. subjungens (Hack.)
• Agrostis alba var. densiflora (Guss.)
• Agrostis alba var. foucaudii (Husn.)
• Vilfa dulcis ((Poir.) P.Beauv.)
• Agrostis zerovii (Klokov)
• Agrostis eliasii (Sennen)
• Agrostis filifolia (Link)
• Vilfa stolonifera var. marina (Gray)
• Agrostis stolonifera subsp. maritima ((Lam.) Vasc.)
• Vilfa patula ((Gaudin) P.Beauv.)
• Agrostis reuteri subsp. scabriglumis ((Boiss. & Reut.) Nyman)
• Agrostis pseudoalba (Klokov)
• Agrostis stolonifera subsp. gaditana ((Boiss. & Reut.) Vasc.)
• Agrostis stolonifera var. scabriglumis ((Boiss. & Reut.) C.E.Hubb.)
• Agrostis karsensis (Litv.)
• Agrostis stolonifera subvar. malcuitiana ((Litard.) Gamisans)
• Agrostis stolonifera subsp. transcaspica ((Litv.) Tzvelev)
• Agrostis sibirica (Petrov)
• Agrostis spicigera (H.Lindb.)
• Agrostis alba subvar. decumbens ((Gaudin) G.Mey.)
• Agrostis stolonifera subvar. arenaria (Jansen & Wacht.)
• Agrostis stolonifera f. decumbens ((Gaudin) Soó)
• Agrostis stolonifera f. pontica ((Grecescu) Beldie)
• Agrostis albida (Trin.)
• Agrostis vulgaris var. stolonifera ((L.) Endl.)
• Agrostis stolonifera subsp. karsensis ((Litv.) Valdés & H.Scholz)
• Agrostis scabrida (Maire & Trab.)
• Agrostis stolonifera var. maritima ((G.Mey.) W.D.J.Koch)
• Agrostis alba var. palustris ((Huds.) Pers.)
• Agrostis alba f. maritima ((Lam.) Parl.)
• Agrostis alba subsp. patula ((Gaudin) Gaudin)
• Agrostis stolonifera var. pumila (Peterm.)
• Agrostis stolonifera var. decumbens (Lilj.)
• Agrostis stolonifera var. bottnica (Hyl.)
• Vilfa glaucescens (C.Presl)
• Milium vulgare var. stoloniferum ((L.) Mérat)
• Agrostis stolonifera var. straminea ((Hartm.) Hartm.)
• Agrostis alba f. amethystina (Podp.)
• Agrostis maritima var. subrepens (DC.)
• Agrostis stolonifera var. malcuitiana (Litard.)
• Agrostis glaucescens ((C.Presl) Spreng.)
• Agrostis stolonifera subsp. albida ((Trin.) Tzvelev)
• Agrostis stolonifera subsp. stolonizans ((Besser) Soó)
• Agrostis stolonifera var. calcicola ((Phillipson) P.D.Sell)
• Agrostis signata var. varia ((Host) Schur)
• Agrostis alba subsp. scabrida ((Maire & Trab.) Maire)
• Agrostis stolonifera f. oligantha (Soó)
• Agrostis stolonifera subsp. scabriglumis ((Boiss. & Reut.) Maire)
• Agrostis polymorpha var. palustris ((Huds.) Huds.)
• Agrostis transcaspica f. violacea (Roshev.)
• Agrostis stolonifera f. flavida ((Schur) Beldie)
• Agrostis lapponica (Montell)
• Agrostis alba var. varia ((Host) Klett & Richt.)
• Agrostis alba subsp. maritima ((Lam.) Arcang.)
• Vilfa stolonifera var. brevis ((Knapp) Gray)
• Agrostis stolonifera var. dulcis (Pers.)
• Agrostis alba subsp. pallens (Gaudin)
• Agrostis insignita (Schur)
• Agrostis prostrata (Hook.f.)
• Agrostis alba var. stolonifera (Lej.)
• Agrostis aristulata (Müll.Hal.)
• Agrostis tenuis var. stolonifera ((L.) Podp.)
• Agrostis stolonifera var. flagellaris (Neilr.)
• Agrostis signata var. caespitosa (Schur)
• Apera procumbens (Steud.)
• Agrostis stolonifera f. subchlorantha ((Schur) Beldie)
• Agrostis alba var. maritima (G.Mey.)
• Agrostis stolonifera f. amethystina ((Podp.) Soó)
• Agrostis macrantha (Schischk.)
• Agrostis stolonifera var. subaristata (Čelak.)
• Agrostis stolonifera subsp. palustris ((Huds.) Tzvelev)
• Agrostis alba subsp. glaucescens (K.Richt.)
• Agrostis polymorpha var. stolonifera ((L.) Huds.)
• Agrostis bodaibensis (Peschkova)
• Agrostis stolonifera var. marina ((Gray) Kerguélen)
• Vilfa stolonifera ((L.) P.Beauv.)
• Agrostis alba subsp. stolonizans ((Schult. & Schult.f.) Lavrenko)
• Agrostis alba var. armena (Schischk.)
• Agrostis stolonifera f. flava (Beldie)
• Agrostis stolonifera var. palustris ((Huds.) Farw.)
• Agrostis stolonifera subsp. scabrida ((Maire & Trab.) Maire)
• Agrostis stolonifera var. filifolia ((Link) Portal)
• Agrostis alba var. conferta (Pauquy)
• Agrostis stolonifera var. latifolia (Sinclair)
• Agrostis maritima var. clementei (Willk.)
• Agrostis diluta (Kurczenko)
• Agrostis stolonifera var. laevigata ((Blytt) Andersson)
• Agrostis stolonifera f. substerilis ((Zapal.) Soó)
• Agrostis alba subsp. salina ((Dumort.) K.Richt.)
• Agrostis signata var. flavida (Schur)
• Agrostis procumbens (Roem. & Schult.)
• Agrostis signata var. decumbens ((Host) Schur)
• Agrostis alba subsp. filifolia ((Link) Henriq.)
• Agrostis alba var. salina (Pohle ex Tolm.)
• Agrostis difficilis (Hemsl.)
• Agrostis sokolovskajae (Prob.)
• Agrostis maritima subsp. clementei ((Willk.) K.Richt.)
• Vilfa stolonifera var. maritima ((Lam.) Gray)
• Agrostis kitaibelii (Schult.)
• Vilfa gaditana ((Boiss. & Reut.) Steud.)
• Milium vulgare var. stolonifera ((L.) Mérat)
• Agrostis stolonifera f. lutescens ((Junge) Soó)
• Agrostis maritima var. pseudopungens (Lange)
• Agrostis vivipara (Biv. ex Roem. & Schult.)
• Agrostis stolonifera var. tenuis (Heuff.)
• Agrostis reptans (Rydb.)
• Agrostis flava (O.F.Müll.)
• Agrostis alba subsp. scabriglumis ((Boiss. & Reut.) Cout.)
• Sporobolus virginicus var. gaditanus ((Boiss. & Reut.) Kerguélen)
• Agrostis alba var. condensata (Druce)
• Agrostis stolonifera var. effusa (Meinsh.)
• Agrostis salina (Dumort.)
• Agrostis alba f. densissima (Hack.)
• Agrostis maritima subsp. pseudopungens ((Lange) K.Richt.)
• Agrostis signata (Schur)
• Decandolia stolonifera ((L.) T.Bastard)
• Agrostis stolonifera f. natans ((Glück) Soó)
• Agrostis vulgaris var. prorepens ((W.D.J.Koch) Schur)
• Agrostis stolonifera var. varia ((Host) Wirtg.)
• Agrostis alba subsp. decumbens ((Haller f. ex Gaudin) Arcang.)
• Vilfa gaudichaudii (Steud.)
• Agrostis stolonifera var. prorepens (W.D.J.Koch)
• Agrostis stolonifera subsp. sokolovskajae ((Prob.) Vorosch.)
• Agrostis turiensis (Tzvelev)
• Agrostis langei (Nyman)
• Agrostis pseudopungens ((Lange) G.H.Loos)
• Agrostis alba var. clementei (Asch. & Graebn.)
• Agrostis virletii (E.Fourn.)
• Agrostis stolonifera var. angustifolia (Sinclair)
• Agrostis signata var. prorepens ((W.D.J.Koch) Schur)
• Agrostis alba var. colorata (Heer)
• Agrostis patula (Gaudin)
• Agrostis welwitschii (Steud.)
• Agrostis capillaris var. stolonifera ((L.) Druce)
• Vilfa maritima ((Lam.) P.Beauv.)
• Agrostis adscendens (Lange)
• Apera palustris ((Huds.) Gray)
• Agrostis valentina (Roem. & Schult.)
• Agrostis stolonifera subsp. straminea ((Hartm.) Tzvelev)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Altay (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Chad (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Chita (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• East Himalaya (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Føroyar (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iceland (native)
• India (native)
• Inner Mongolia (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Korea (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Madeira (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Myanmar (native)
• Nepal (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Sinai (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tibet (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Tuva (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yakutskiya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Alaska (introduced)
• Alberta (introduced)
• Aleutian Is. (introduced)
• Amsterdam-St.Paul Is (introduced)
• Antipodean Is. (introduced)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Argentina Northwest (introduced)
• Argentina South (introduced)
• Arizona (introduced)
• Arkansas (introduced)
• Azores (introduced)
• Bolivia (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Canary Is. (introduced)
• Chatham Is. (introduced)
• Chile Central (introduced)
• Chile North (introduced)
• Chile South (introduced)
• Colombia (introduced)
• Colorado (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Costa Rica (introduced)
• Crozet Is. (introduced)
• Delaware (introduced)
• District of Columbia (introduced)
• Easter Is. (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• Falkland Is. (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Greenland (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Idaho (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Indiana (introduced)
• Iowa (introduced)
• Jamaica (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)
• Jawa (introduced)
• Kamchatka (introduced)
• Kansas (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Kerguelen (introduced)
• Khabarovsk (introduced)
• Kuril Is. (introduced)
• Labrador (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Macquarie Is. (introduced)
• Magadan (introduced)
• Maine (introduced)
• Manitoba (introduced)
• Marion-Prince Edward (introduced)
• Marquesas (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Mexico Central (introduced)
• Mexico Gulf (introduced)
• Mexico Northeast (introduced)
• Mexico Northwest (introduced)
• Mexico Southeast (introduced)
• Mexico Southwest (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Minnesota (introduced)
• Mississippi (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• Montana (introduced)
• Nebraska (introduced)
• Nevada (introduced)
• New Brunswick (introduced)
• New Hampshire (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New Mexico (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• Newfoundland (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• North Dakota (introduced)
• Northwest Territorie (introduced)
• Nova Scotia (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Peru (introduced)
• Primorye (introduced)
• Prince Edward I. (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Rhode I. (introduced)
• Réunion (introduced)
• Sakhalin (introduced)
• Saskatchewan (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• South Dakota (introduced)
• Sri Lanka (introduced)
• Sumatera (introduced)
• Taiwan (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Tristan da Cunha (introduced)
• Uruguay (introduced)
• Utah (introduced)
• Venezuela (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• West Virginia (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)
• Wyoming (introduced)

Additional Images

© 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.

Flower

Taken Jul 11, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 11, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 8, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 24, 2019 by Jean Christophe Pagliarin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Sep 25, 2016 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 25, 2016 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 6, 2020 by Perrine Pigeon (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 30, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken May 19, 2022 by Rubio Cazalilla (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 25, 2016 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 15, 2021 by Pozzan Dario (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 8, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Sep 25, 2016 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 25, 2016 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 15, 2005 by EOL − Steve Matson (cc-by-nc)

Taken Aug 8, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 8, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Sep 25, 2016 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 25, 2016 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 25, 2016 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 25, 2016 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 16, 2022 by Ivaniv Roman (cc-by-sa)

Other

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

Taken Jul 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

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

Taken Jun 14, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Emmanuel STRATMAINS (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 27, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Lycée LA POMMERAYE (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Agrostis stolonifera L.)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2706435)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:386353-1)

Specifications

Growth