Grasses have existed for centuries and will continue to do so. They have populated the world since the days of yore. Grasses practically thrive on all of the worlds continents, with the exception of Antarctica, and are recognized to rank as one of the most versatile life forms known to mankind.

By Definition

Literally, grass is generally described as a monocotyledonous green plant that possesses slender leaves, referred to as the blades. Grass typically grows by arching upward from the ground. Botanically speaking, grasses fall under the family of flowering plants, which is termed as Poaceae.

Other plants which are directly related to the grass family are as follows:

1. China grass

2. Ditch grass/wigeon grass

3. Fish grass

4. Goosegrass

5. Mondo grass/Lily turf

6. Nut grass

7. Pepper grasses

8. Sawgrass

9. Scurvy grass

10. Scurvy grass sorrel

11. Sea grass

12. Sleeping grass

13. Xyridaceae

Uses

Grasses are advantageous both to man and animal. Firstly, animals feed on grass. Secondly, man benefits much from them. Not only does man eat the animals that feed on grass, but he also, perhaps more importantly, benefits from other aspects of grasses: They prevent soil erosion, floods, and landslides as well as serve as ornaments in landscaping.

Grass Species

Bahia Grass commonly thrives in the Southeast and is characterized as a tough and coarse type of grass.

Bent/Creeping Grass is one kind of perennial grass that is fine and soft in texture and appears to be in a tight-knit turf. This kind of grass is commonly integrated into golf course lawns, particularly in the northern regions.

Bermuda Grass is one of the significant lawn grasses. It is heat and drought tolerant, aggressive, fast growing, and tough.

Blue Grama Grass is most apt for use in the northern plains. It mostly grows during the summertime and can survive lengthy periods of drought.

Buffalo Grass is a native of North America and is very much like Bermuda grass.

Centipede Grass is known to endure acidic or unfertile soils and is generally a warm season grass.

Fescue Grass is of two typesthe fine, or needle-leaved, grass and the tall, or broad-leaved, grass.

Kentucky Bluegrass is one of the most well-known types of lawn grass for the northern regions.

Ryegrass has both an annual and a perennial species.

Seashore Paspalum can live on in salty soil and thrive off of recycled irrigation water.

St. Augustine Grass typically grows in a fast-paced manner, is deep-rooted, and is coarse in texture.

The Zoysia Grass is commonly referred to as a miracle grass.

The existence of grass is inevitable. They will continuously transcend varying climate conditions present in the rain forests, arid deserts, and frosty mountain steppes.