Skip to content

Heath grass

Danthonia decumbens

Family: Poaceae Genus: Danthonia Species: decumbens

Synonyms: Sieglingia decumbens f. longiglumis, Sieglingia decumbens f. gigantea, Triodia decumbens var. longiglumis, Triodia glaberrima, Sieglingia decumbens, Sieglingia decumbens var. longiglumis, Danthonia decipiens, Sieglingia decumbens var. breviglumis, Triodia decumbens, Bromus decumbens, Brachatera decumbens, Festuca decumbens, Danthonia glaberrima, Danthonia decumbens f. longiglumis, Danthonia decumbens f. breviglumis, Poa decumbens, Danthonia decumbens var. breviglumis, Triodon decumbens, Danthonia decumbens subsp. decipiens, Triodia decumbens var. breviglumis, Sieglingia decumbens subsp. decipiens, Melica rigida, Danthonia decumbens var. recticaulis, Sieglingia decumbens subsp. mauritanica, Danthonia decumbens subsp. mauritanica, Melica decumbens

Heath grass (en)
Danthonia decumbens — flower
Danthonia decumbens — flower

Botanical Description

Danthonia decumbens, the heath-grass, is a compact tufted perennial grass of the family Poaceae, typically 10 to 40 cm tall. It forms dense low tufts with wiry, often somewhat decumbent culms and short, flat to inrolled greyish-green leaves whose ligule is reduced to a fringe of hairs. The inflorescence is a short, narrow, few-spikeleted raceme or contracted panicle 1 to 4 cm long; the relatively large, plump spikelets contain several florets and lack the long awns typical of many grasses. It also produces hidden cleistogamous flowers within the lower leaf sheaths. Flowering occurs in summer. Native to Europe, North Africa and western Asia, heath-grass grows on acidic, nutrient-poor soils in heaths, moors, unimproved grassland, bogs and open woodland.

Native Region: Albania, Algeria, Austria, Azores, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cape Verde, Central European Rus, Corse, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Finland, France, Free State, Føroyar, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Krym, Madeira, Morocco, Netherlands, North European Russi, Northwest European R, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sardegna, South European Russi, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Transcaucasus, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkey-in-Europe, Ukraine, Yugoslavia

Cultural & Historical Context

Traditional American Uses

None Documented

Chemistry & External Identifiers

Trefle ID
227150

Important Disclaimer

This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.

Back to Herb Database