Pacific Small Reedgrass- Calamagrostis nutkaënsis
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/188178391
Pacific Small Reedgrass
Calamagrostis nutkaënsis
So, today, I went for an utterly wet walk to find something interesting to write about. I found clumps of grass growing along the edge of the muskeg near the Indian River, but the muskeg or wetlands were off the beaten track up behind it. I also know this grass grows next to my house, and I have seen it growing near the beach at Totem Park. This grass is known by several names: Nootka Reedgrass, Pacific Reedrass, or Small-reedgrass; its scientific name is Calamagrostis nutkaënsis. I recognized that this grass dies over the winter but will return in the spring because I have watched the clumps near my house for the last three years. In the picture, the grass is starting to die out and has lost its lustre that it had in the middle of the summer. It is considered a perennial, meaning it has a life span of more than two years.
Nootka Reedgrass grows from Alaska down the coast to San Luis Obispo, California. Unlike a lawn, these grasses grow in clumps and can stretch a meter high (three ft.) (Hunt and Wright). “Its purplish-brown flower spike can reach 10 inches in length” (Hunt and Wright). Their leaves are quite broad and have a razor-like edge that occasionally cuts a person walking by unawares. The Nootka Reedgrass grows in areas that other plants cannot, like next to beaches, where a little salt does not bother them, dunes, marshland, bogs, and openings in conifer forests and cliffs. However, wherever they grow, they require wet soil in regions that have been disturbed. Nootka Reedgrass can be used in revegetation, “able to survive in very wet conditions. Its shallow rhizomes are known for controlling soil erosion” (Hunt and Wright).
There is one project that has been done “by the Alaska Plant Materials Center (PMC) in coastal regions of Southcentral and Southeast Alaska” (Hunt and Wright). where lands had been disturbed and found that Nootka Reedgrass “continues to exhibit excellent performance.” Because its seedlings are vigorous and can survive in very wet conditions” (Hunt and Wright). I also looked to see what animals might eat this grass, and it seems not to have anything that uses it for food. I think they would make nice beds for some animals, but in my research, I could not find anything that did.
Gayleen
Hunt, Peggy, and Stoney Wright. “Pioneer Peak Germplasm Nootka Reedgrass - Dnr.Alaska.Gov.” Pioneer Peak Germplasm Nootka Reedgrass Calamagrostis Nutkaënsis Selected Class Release “Natural,” State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources Division of Agriculture Plant Materials Center, 17 July 2007, dnr.alaska.gov/ag/akpmc/pdf/plant-flyers/PioneerPeakCalamagrostis.pdf. Accessed 18 October 2023
Comentarios
Hi Gayleen, you have piqued my curiosity in the lifespan of different grasses. Are most grasses perennial or do they have to repopulate? Tall grass gets me really excited because I love to run through it and feel it with my hands. I always have to fidget with something, and tall grass often does the trick when I’m out on a walk. I see Nootka Reedgrass around Juneau, and enjoy the addition of green life around our beaches because of it. It is good to hear it is a persistent survivor, but I am surprised there is no clear knowledge on its relationship to animals. Like you said, I, sure they utilize this grass in some way but I would love to know more about it. Thanks for sharing!
I never knew grass could be so fascinating. My older brother once told me that lawn grass wasn't native to Alaska and that natural Alaska grass is much taller. I wonder if he was referring to Nootka Reedgrass or talking about some other grass. Surprisingly, the grass is resilient; I helped my dad plant grass for our yard over the summer. I would walk on the grass seeds daily, and they still managed to put down roots. They were able to find life with life intervention. On my part, but that's what makes grass so fascinating. I didn't expect Nootka Reedgrass to resist salt; most plants can't survive a little salt in the soil. So I liked hearing about a plant that could, especially since it is grass. I was baffled to hear that the Nootka Reedgrass isn't used for food or animal bedding. It would make sense logically speaking, but maybe it doesn't have a good shelf life or has fewer nutrients than other grass. Anyway, thanks for posting, and have a wonderful weekend.
Agregar un comentario