Grass

Grass generally describes a Monocotyledonous green Plant characterized by slender leaves, called blades, which usually grow arching upwards from the ground.

TRUE GRASSES AND SIMILAR PLANTS

Plants that are botanically regarded as "true" grasses fall into the Flowering Plant family, Poaceae . However, there are other plants outside this plant family that have similar appearance, and are commonly referred to as grasses, or have "grass" as part of their name. These include:

China grass, more commonly known as Ramie ('' Boehmeria nivea''), a nettle grown for Bast Fibres , in the Family Urticaceae

Ditch grass or Wigeon grass ('' Ruppia maritima'') in the Family Ruppiaceae

Fish grass ('' Cabomba caroliniana''), a freshwater aquatic

Goosegrass ('' Galium Aparine '')

Mondo Grass or Lily turf ('' Ophiopogon Japonicus ''), an Asian ornamental ground cover

Nutgrass , a common lawn pest ('' Cyperus rotundus'') in the Family Cyperaceae

Pepper grasses ('' Lipidium '' spp.) in the family Brassicaceae

Sawgrass, abundant in sub-tropical marshlands ('' Cladium '' spp.) in the Family Cyperaceae

Scurvy-grass (''Cochlearia'' species) in the Family Brassicaceae

Scurvy-grass Sorrel (''Oxalis enneaphylla'') in the Family Oxalidaceae

Seagrass es, including Eel Grass (''Zostera'' spp.)

"Sleeping Grass" (''Mimosa pudica'') a Legume (Family Fabaceae) and lawn weed

Turfgrass

Xyridaceae , known as the yellow-eyed grass family

Grasses are among the most versatile of life forms, thriving on every continent except Antarctica . They have existed for millions of years, providing fodder for Cretaceous Dinosaurs , whose fossilized dung contains phytoliths of a variety of grasses that include the ancestors of Rice and Bamboo (Piperno & Sues, 2005). Grasses have adapted to conditions in lush Rain Forest s, dry Desert s, and cold mountain Steppes .

GRASS AND SOCIETY

Grass has long had significance in human society. It has been cultivated as a food source for Domesticated Animals for up to 10,000 years, and has been used to make Paper since at least as early as 2400 B.C. . In modern suburbia, a well maintained grassy Lawn is a sign of responsibility to the overall appearance of the neighborhood.
Some Idiom s evoke images of grass. For example:

"The grass is always greener on the other side" suggests that the greenness of grass is a positive quality.

"Don't let the grass grow under your feet" references the speed with which grass grows.

"A Snake in the grass" cautions about the dangers that may be hidden in the grass.

Information About

Grass