ruohokasvi

Ruohokasvi is a Finnish term that translates to "grass plant" or "herbaceous plant" in English. It refers to a broad category of plants characterized by their soft, non-woody stems that typically die back to the ground at the end of the growing season. This distinguishes them from woody plants like trees and shrubs, which have persistent, woody stems.

The term encompasses a vast diversity of species, including true grasses (family Poaceae), sedges (family Cyperaceae), rushes (family Juncaceae), as well as many flowering plants that lack woody structures. These plants can be annual, biennial, or perennial. Annuals complete their life cycle in one year, biennials in two years, and perennials live for multiple years, often regrowing from underground root systems or bulbs each spring.

Ruohokasvit play a crucial role in various ecosystems. True grasses form the basis of many grasslands, savannas, and prairies, providing food and habitat for numerous animals. Many herbaceous flowering plants are vital for pollinators and contribute to the biodiversity of forests, meadows, and wetlands. In agriculture, many staple crops, such as wheat, rice, and corn, are technically ruohokasvit. Their non-woody nature makes them suitable for cultivation and harvesting on a large scale.