Tufted hairgrass (Deschampsia cespitosa, Ess. Agrostogr.: 91 (1812))

Family: Poaceae

Author: (L.) P.Beauv.

Bibliography: Ess. Agrostogr.: 91 (1812)

Year: 1812

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Deschampsia

Vegetable: False

Observations: Subarctic & Temp. to Trop. Mts.

Description

Tufted hairgrass, scientifically known as Deschampsia cespitosa, is a notable member of the Poaceae family. This resilient grass species was first described by the French botanist Antoine Laurent de Jussieu in his seminal work published in 1812, “Ess. Agrostogr.”

Tufted hairgrass thrives across a wide spectrum of climates, from subarctic regions to temperate zones and even tropical mountains. This adaptability allows it to flourish in various habitats, making it an incredibly versatile species. It is typically found in moist, well-drained soils and is often a common sight in meadows, wetlands, and along riverbanks.

The plant forms dense clumps, or tufts, which gives this grass its common name. These clumps can grow to be quite large, providing significant ground cover and serving as a critical component in many ecosystems. The grass blades are tall and slender, with a rich green hue that can add aesthetic value to landscapes and gardens.

Tufted hairgrass is also noted for its ecological benefits. It helps with soil erosion control due to its extensive root system and is often used in restoration projects. The grass provides habitat and food for a variety of wildlife, including insects, birds, and small mammals.

Overall, Deschampsia cespitosa is a remarkable plant with a broad range of uses and benefits, making it an important species within its native and introduced ranges.

Common Names

Dan: mose-bunke
Deu: rasen-schmiele, rasenschmiele
Eng: tufted hair grass, tufted hair-grass, tufted hairgrass, tussock grass, small-flowered ticklegrass
Ita: aira cespitosa
Fra: aire gazonnante, canche cespiteuse, canche flexueuse, canche gazonnante, deschampsie cespiteuse
Por: aveia-de-burro
Nor: enge-bunke, fjell-bonke, frou-bunke
Spa: grama del monte
Nob: kvassbunke
Nno: kvassbunke
Fin: nurmilauha
Swe: nurmilauha, tuvtåtel
Nld: ruwe smele
Cym: brigwellt cudynnog, brigwellt garw, brigwellt mawnog, brigwellt tywarchaidd, glaswellt main y waun
En: Tufted hairgrass, Tufted hair grass, Tufted hair-grass, Tussock grass, Small-flowered ticklegrass, Silver-grass
Da: Mose-bunke
Nl: Ruwe smele
Fi: Nurmilauha
Fr: Aire gazonnante, Canche cespiteuse, Canche flexueuse, Canche gazonnante, Deschampsie cespiteuse, Canche des champs, Herbe sûre
De: Rasen-Schmiele, Rasenschmiele, Horstbildende Schmiele
It: Aira cespitosa, Migliarino maggiore
No: Enge-bunke, Fjell-bonke, Frou-bunke
Nb: Kvassbunke
Nn: Kvassbunke
Pt: Aveia-de-burro
Es: Grama del monte
Sv: Nurmilauha, Tuvtåtel
Cy: Brigwellt Cudynnog, Brigwellt Garw, Brigwellt Mawnog, Brigwellt Tywarchaidd, Glaswellt Main y Waun

Synonyms

• Aira major (Syme)
• Agrostis cespitosa ((L.) Salisb.)
• Aira cespitosa (L.)
• Podionapus cespitosus ((L.) Dulac)
• Deschampsia bottnica f. subtriflora (Holmb.)
• Avena cespitosa ((L.) Kuntze)
• Campella cespitosa ((L.) Link)
• Deschampsia cespitosa f. triflora (Holmb.)
• Aira major subsp. cespitosa ((L.) Syme)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Alaska (native)
• Albania (native)
• Alberta (native)
• Aleutian Is. (native)
• Altay (native)
• Amur (native)
• Antipodean Is. (native)
• Arizona (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• California (native)
• Cameroon (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Chatham Is. (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• Chita (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Congo (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• East Himalaya (native)
• Ethiopia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Føroyar (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Greenland (native)
• Gulf of Guinea Is. (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iceland (native)
• Idaho (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Inner Mongolia (native)
• Iran (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Italy (native)
• Japan (native)
• Kamchatka (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kentucky (native)
• Kenya (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Korea (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Krym (native)
• Kuril Is. (native)
• Labrador (native)
• Macquarie Is. (native)
• Magadan (native)
• Maine (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• Montana (native)
• Nepal (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• Nevada (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• New South Wales (native)
• New York (native)
• New Zealand North (native)
• New Zealand South (native)
• Newfoundland (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North Dakota (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Northwest Territorie (native)
• Norway (native)
• Nova Scotia (native)
• Nunavut (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Prince Edward I. (native)
• Qinghai (native)
• Québec (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• Romania (native)
• Rwanda (native)
• Sakhalin (native)
• Saskatchewan (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• South Dakota (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Svalbard (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Taiwan (native)
• Tanzania (native)
• Tasmania (native)
• Tibet (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Tuva (native)
• Uganda (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Utah (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Victoria (native)
• Virginia (native)
• Washington (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• West Virginia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Wyoming (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yakutskiya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Yukon (native)
• Zaïre (native)
• Argentina Northwest (introduced)
• Argentina South (introduced)
• Bolivia (introduced)
• Brazil South (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• Chile Central (introduced)
• Chile South (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Lesotho (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• South Georgia (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Aug 21, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 21, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 21, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 26, 2022 by david stones (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 6, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Sep 4, 2019 by topin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 26, 2019 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 21, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 21, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 21, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jun 16, 2021 by Emanuele Santarelli (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 28, 2022 by Steven Law (cc-by-sa)

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

Taken Oct 19, 2019 by TIBIRNAC Marcel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 6, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jun 29, 2021 by domfe (cc-by-sa)

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

Taken Jan 2, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Emmanuel STRATMAINS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 15, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Françoise CARLE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2005 by Andrew Gagg (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Apr 18, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Mathilde DUVERGER (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 7, 2021 by Alexander Baransky (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 6, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 6, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 6, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Sep 14, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Michel Guerin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 14, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Michel Guerin (cc-by-sa)

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

Taken Jul 24, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Louis CHEYPE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 31, 1877 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-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)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:397953-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/8059811)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Deschampsia cespitosa (L.) P.Beauv.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Graminoid

Growth

Ph maximum: 6.5

Ph minimum: 5.5

Light: 5

Atmospheric humidity: 8

Bloom months: [‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’]

Soil nutriments: 6