nardus

Nardus is a genus of grasses in the family Poaceae. It is monotypic, containing a single species, Nardus stricta, commonly known as matgrass. The genus and species were described in the Linnaean system, and Nardus stricta is the principal representative.

Nardus stricta is a perennial, evergreen grass that forms dense tufts or mats. It has slender culms that typically reach up to 30–60 centimeters in height, with narrow, blue-green leaves that are rolled and channelled. The inflorescence is a compact, narrow panicle bearing small spikelets. The plant is well adapted to nutrient-poor, acidic soils and can tolerate drought, often thriving on heaths, moorlands, and other open, dry grasslands.

Distribution and habitat: Nardus stricta is native to Europe, northern Africa, and western Asia. It occurs across a range of temperate climates and is a characteristic component of dry, acidic grasslands and heath ecosystems. It may form extensive mats that contribute to soil stabilization and habitat structure in these environments.

Ecology and uses: The dense mats of matgrass help reduce soil erosion on poor soils and provide microhabitats for invertebrates and other small organisms. It is primarily of ecological and conservation interest, contributing to the biodiversity of heath and moorland communities. In restoration projects, it may be used to re-establish vegetation on acidic, low-nutrient sites where more demanding grasses cannot establish.

See also: Spikenard and other grasses adapted to nutrient-poor, acidic soils.