Grasss

Grasss is typically a misspelling of the term grass. This article describes grasses, the members of the plant family Poaceae, which include thousands of species that are widespread in nearly all climates and landscapes.

Grasses are generally herbaceous plants with narrow leaves arranged in two ranks along the stem. The stems, called culms, are often hollow or blistered, and the leaf blades have a sheathing base that wraps around the stem. Many grasses produce seeds in small flowers arranged in inflorescences. Some species spread by rhizomes or stolons, enabling clonal expansion in suitable habitats.

Grasses occur in a wide range of habitats, from tropical forests and savannas to temperate meadows, steppes, and deserts. They dominate many ecosystems, forming grasslands, lawns, and turf that support a variety of animal life. They are highly productive and efficient at photosynthesis, with some groups adapted to C3 chemistry and others to C4, allowing them to thrive in different temperatures and water conditions.

Humans rely on grasses for both food and materials. Major cereal crops such as wheat, rice, maize, barley, sorghum, and millet come from grasses and provide a substantial portion of the world’s calories. Forages like ryegrass and fescue support livestock agriculture, while ornamental and turf grasses are used in landscaping and sports areas. Grasses also contribute to soil stabilization, erosion control, and carbon storage in many ecosystems.

Conservation and management of grasslands are important for biodiversity, water quality, and climate regulation. Pressures include overgrazing, conversion to cropping, urbanization, and climate change.