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  11. Crested Dog’s-tail Grass (Cynosurus...

 

Crested Dog’s-tail Grass

Crested Dog's-tail Grass (Cynosurus cristatus)
Crested Dog’s-tail Grass (Cynosurus cristatus)

In many places in Germany and other Central European countries, the crested dog’s-tail grass (Cynosurus cristatus) can be found. It belongs to the grass family (Poaceae) and grows to a height of 10 cm to 75 cm. Occasionally there are specimens that grow up to 90 cm high. The crested dog’s-tail grass stands upright and the individual stems are smooth and not hairy. They usually have one to three nodes.

The flowers are arranged in a panicle that is 2 cm to 12 cm long. Because the spikes stand between a dense area of empty husks, they look like small combs. This is where the German name of this grass species ”Kammgras”, which literally translates to “comb grass”, comes from. It can be found in meadows, pastures, sparse woodland and along field paths.

In late spring and early summer, half-ripe crested dog’s-tail grass can be harvested for pet birds. It can be dried or frozen for the winter; the latter is more popular with birds than dried half-ripe grasses.

Crested Dog's-tail Grass (Cynosurus cristatus)
Crested Dog’s-tail Grass (Cynosurus cristatus)
Crested Dog's-tail Grass (Cynosurus cristatus)
Crested Dog’s-tail Grass (Cynosurus cristatus)

You can find more photos of this species on NABU-naturgucker.de (German website, but also available in English language).

German – English translation: Sarah Wiechers