Other common names
cock's foot grass, dew grass, hard grass, orchard grass, orchard grass, sticky grass, troed y ceiliog
Synonyms
Dactylis glomerata var. abbreviata
Dactylis glomerata var. hispanica
Dactylis hispanica
Dactylis glomerata var. pendula
A widespread native grass found in meadows and pastures, open woodland, rough spaces and roadside verges. The robust, flattened stems can reach 1.2m, with relatively broad, coarse leaves that are food for many butterfly and moth caterpillars, and the leaf bases build up into substantial tussocks creating good overwintering habitat for wildlife. Distinctive flowers appear in summer and consist of densely clustered, green spikelets on branched stems, with conspicuous cream, pink or purple anthers providing valuable pollen for bees and other insects