velvet grass

plant

Also known as: Holcus lanatus, Yorkshire fog

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Also called:: Yorkshire fog

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velvet grass, (Holcus lanatus), perennial grass in the family Poaceae, native to Europe and Africa. Velvet grass, so called because the entire plant has a velvety feel when touched, was introduced into Australia and North America as a forage species. It now grows as a weed in damp places such as ditches, stream banks, and drainage areas; it is considered an invasive species in some places outside its native range.

Velvet grass is a tufted grass and reaches up to 1 metre (3.3 feet) in height. The hollow stems bear flat pubescent (hairy) leaves that taper to a point. It has tufted flower clusters that may be white, green, pink, or purple. The roots are shallow and fibrous, and the plant can tolerate poor soils.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Melissa Petruzzello.