Edge/ Autumn Bentgrass

COMMON NAME: Autumn Bent-Grass

OTHER COMMON NAME(S): Upland Bent-Grass

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Agrostis perennans

FAMILY: Poaceae

COMMUNITY: Edge

STATUS: Native

LIFESPAN: Perennial

HEIGHT: to 35 inches

FLOWERING TIME: Early July to late September

FRUITING TIME: Old fruit may persist to November

DISTRIBUTION: New Jersey to Mississippi ~ Statewide in New Jersey

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS: Branches are hair like and branching more than half the length of the stem ~ Spikelets 1 flowered, pale green, tufted appearance ~ Leaves flat, narrow, long, much longer than their sheaths ~ Leafy autumnal offshoots at base

Consider the often quoted rhyme when identifying grasses: “Sedges have edges, Rushes are round, Grasses have joints from their tips to the ground.”

GENERAL INFORMATION: Poaceae is commonly known as the grass family.  The common name “Bent-Grass refers to the characteristic of not ridged, thus is easily “bent” stems.  Autumn Bent-Grass fruit persists into Autumn. The genus Agrostis is from the Old Greek name of grass or a field agros; also meaning a place of growth of some species. The species perennans refers to its lifespan of Autumn Bent-Grass as a perennial. Autumn Bent-Grass is found in open, well-drained or dry soil of woods and shaded edges, and in fields

Please note: While harvesting wild berries/fruit is permitted at Island Beach State Park, visitors must adhere to park regulations at all times and must not damage vegetation or go off designated trails.  This information is presented for educational purposes.