common velvetgrass
(Holcus lanatus)
This species is Introduced in the United States
Origin
Native to Europe, western Asia, northwestern Africa, and the Canary Islands.
Appearance
Holcus lanatus is a perennial grass that grows between 12 to 39″ (30-100 cm) in height. Life span and history can vary with environmental conditions.
Foliage
Stems of common velvetgrass are hollow. Leaves are grayish in color, flat, and have open sheaths that are (0.4″) 1 cm wide and (9.8″) 25 cm in length.
Flowers
Flowers bloom anywhere from May to October depending on location. Flowering starts at the tip of the panicle downwards.
Fruit
After blooming, nutrients are stored below the soil with reproduction primarily taking place by seed or a basal shoot.
Ecological Threat
H. lanatus is a widespread invasive in the United States. Occupying a range of habitats, common velvetgrass is often found in pastures, wet disturbed areas, and roadsides. Established populations are less common in more inland states, but scattered populations may occur in Missouri, Kansas, and Illinois.
https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/graminoid/hollan/all.html
https://wiki.bugwood.org/Holcus_lanatus
Native to Europe, western Asia, northwestern Africa, and the Canary Islands.
Appearance
Holcus lanatus is a perennial grass that grows between 12 to 39″ (30-100 cm) in height. Life span and history can vary with environmental conditions.
Foliage
Stems of common velvetgrass are hollow. Leaves are grayish in color, flat, and have open sheaths that are (0.4″) 1 cm wide and (9.8″) 25 cm in length.
Flowers
Flowers bloom anywhere from May to October depending on location. Flowering starts at the tip of the panicle downwards.
Fruit
After blooming, nutrients are stored below the soil with reproduction primarily taking place by seed or a basal shoot.
Ecological Threat
H. lanatus is a widespread invasive in the United States. Occupying a range of habitats, common velvetgrass is often found in pastures, wet disturbed areas, and roadsides. Established populations are less common in more inland states, but scattered populations may occur in Missouri, Kansas, and Illinois.
https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/graminoid/hollan/all.html
https://wiki.bugwood.org/Holcus_lanatus
Selected Images
Maps
EDDMapS Distribution - This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts, herbaria, and literature. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org
State Lists - This map identifies those states that have this species on their invasive species list or law.
Invasive Listing Sources
- California Invasive Plant Council
- City of Ann Arbor Michigan Parks and Recreation
- Invasive Plant Species of West Virginia
- Jil M. Swearingen, Survey of invasive plants occurring on National Park Service lands, 2000-2007
- John Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Survey of TNC Preserves, 1995.
- Kentucky Exotic Pest Plant Council - Moderate Threat
- Maryland Code and Regulations Noxious Weed & Seed Law
- National Park Service, Mid-Atlantic Exotic Plant Management Team Invasive Plant List
- Native Plant Society of Oregon, 2008
- Nonnative Invasive Species in Southern Forest and Grassland Ecosystems
- Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Invasive Plants
- Virginia Invasive Plant Species List
- WeedUS - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States
- West Virginia Invasive Species Strategic Plan and Volunteer Guidelines 2014
- West Virginia Native Plant Society, Flora West Virginia Project, and West Virginia Curatorial Database System, September 3, 1999
Taxonomic Rank
| Domain: Eukarya |
| Kingdom: Plantae |
| Phylum: Magnoliophyta |
| Class: Magnoliopsida |
| Superorder: Lilianae |
| Order: Poales |
| Family: Poaceae |
| Genus: Holcus |
| Holcus lanatus |
References
Common Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
Scientific Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.