Deschampsia cespitosa

Deschampsia cespitosa, commonly known as tufted hairgrass or tussock grass, is a perennial tufted plant in the grass family Poaceae.Jepson Manual. 1993 The distribution of this species is widespread, with it being native to North America, Central Africa, eastern Australia, New Zealand, and Eurasia and being introduced to South Africa, South Australia and South America.

Description A distinguishing feature is the upper surface of the leaf blade which feels rough and can cut in one direction, but is smooth in the opposite direction. The dark green upper sides of the leaves are deeply grooved.

It can grow to tall, and has a long, narrow, pointed ligule."Identification Resources", BSBI Identification Resources website It flowers from June until August.

Habitat and ecology It can be found on all types of grassland, although it prefers poorly drained soil. It forms a major component of the British NVC community MG9 - Holcus lanatus to Deschampsia cespitosa mesotrophic grasslands. It can exist up to altitudes of 4000 ft.Grasses by C E Hubbard, 1978, published by Penguin books Typical native grass associates in the western North American coastal prairies, such as the California coastal prairie, are Festuca californica, Festuca idahoensis, Danthonia californica, and Nassella pulchra.

It is a larval host to the Juba skipper (Hesperia juba) and the umber skipper (Lon melane).The Xerces Society (2016), Gardening for Butterflies: How You Can Attract and Protect Beautiful, Beneficial Insects, Timber Press.

Subspecies Deschampsia cespitosa subsp. cespitosa (synonyms: Deschampsia bottnica (Wahlenb.) Trin.; Deschampsia littoralis (Gaudin) Reut.)

Horticulture The species is cultivated as an ornamental garden plant, and numerous cultivars are available. The cultivars 'Goldschleier' and 'Goldtau' have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

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Deschampsia cespitosa

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