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Poaceae (true grasses)
Fossil range: Late Cretaceous[1] - present
Flowering head of Meadow Foxtail (Alopecurus pratensis), with stamens exserted at anthesis
Flowering head of Meadow Foxtail (Alopecurus pratensis), with stamens exserted at anthesis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Liliopsida
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
(R.Br.) Barnhart
Subfamilies

There are 7 subfamilies:
Subfamily Arundinoideae
Subfamily Bambusoideae
Subfamily Centothecoideae
Subfamily Chloridoideae
Subfamily Panicoideae
Subfamily Pooideae
Subfamily Stipoideae

Poaceae or Gramineae is a family in the Class Liliopsida of the flowering plants. The Meadow Foxtail ( Alopecurus pratensis) also known as the Field Meadow Foxtail, is a perennial grass belonging to the grass family (Poaceae Plants are living Organisms belonging to the kingdom Plantae. The flowering plants or angiosperms ( Angiospermae or Magnoliophyta) are the most widespread group Liliopsida is a Botanical name for the class containing the family Liliaceae (or Lily Family Poales is an order of Flowering plants in the Monocotyledons and includes families of plants such as the grasses, Bromeliads, Robert Brown FRS ( 21 December, 1773 &ndash 10 June, 1858) was a Scottish scientist who is acknowledged as the leading botanist The Arundinoideae is a Subfamily of the true grass family ( Poaceae) The Bambusoideae is a Subfamily of the True grass Family Poaceae, and is characterized by having 3 Stigmas and are mostly tree-like The Centothecoideae is a Subfamily of the true grass family ( Poaceae) Chloridoideae is a Subfamily of the true grass family ( Poaceae) Panicoideae is a Subfamily of the true grass family. The Pooideae is a Subfamily of the true grass family Poaceae. Stipoideae is a Subfamily of the true grass family ( Poaceae) Liliopsida is a Botanical name for the class containing the family Liliaceae (or Lily Family The flowering plants or angiosperms ( Angiospermae or Magnoliophyta) are the most widespread group Plants of this family are usually called grasses. Grass is the common word that generally describes Monocotyledonous green Plants The family Gramineae ( Poaceae) are the "true grasses" and include There are about 600 genera and between 9,000–10,000 species of grasses (Kew Index of World Grass Species). A genus (plural genera from Γένος Latin genus "descent family type gender" is a low-level Taxonomic In Biology, a species is one of the basic units of Biological classification and a Taxonomic rank. Plant communities dominated by Poaceae are called grasslands; it is estimated that grasslands comprise 20% of the vegetation cover of the earth. Grasslands (also called greenswards) are areas where the Vegetation is dominated by Grasses ( Poaceae) and other Herbaceous (non-woody This family is the most important of all plant families to human economies: it includes the staple food grains grown around the world, lawn and forage grasses, and bamboo, widely used for construction throughout east Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Food is any substance usually composed primarily of Carbohydrates Fats water and/or Proteins that can be eaten or drunk by an Bamboo is a group of Woody perennial Evergreen Plants in the True grass family Poaceae, subfamily

The term "grass" is also applied to many grass-like plants not in the Poaceae, leading to plants of the Poaceae often being called "true grasses".

Contents

Structure and growth

Grasses generally have the following characteristics (it is advisable to have a look at the image gallery for reference):

General aspects
Structure of a grass plant.
Structure of a grass plant.

Poaceae have hollow stems called culms, plugged at intervals called nodes. A stem is one of two main structural axes of a Vascular plant. Leaves are alternate, distichous (in one plane) or rarely spiral, parallel-veined and arise at the nodes. In Botany, a leaf is an above-ground Plant organ specialized for Photosynthesis. Each leaf is differentiated into a lower sheath hugging the stem for a distance and a blade with margin usually entire. The leaf blades of many grasses are hardened with silica phytoliths, which helps discourage grazing animals. The Chemical compound silicon dioxide, also known as silica or silox (from the Latin " Silex " is an Oxide A phytolith ("plant stone" is a rigid microscopic body that occurs in many Plants The most common type of phytolith is the Silicon phytolith also called In some grasses (such as sword grass) this makes the grass blades sharp enough to cut human skin. Sword grass is a name used for some species of grasses with blades that are sharp enough to cut human skin A membranous appendage or fringe of hairs, called the ligule, lies at the junction between sheath and blade, preventing water or insects from penetrating into the sheath. A ligule (from Latin ligula, diminutive of liga) can be observed in the Leaf of a grass.

Grass blades grow at the base of the blade and not from growing tips. This location of the grass growing point near the ground allows it to be grazed or mowed regularly without damage to the growing point. Grazing generally describes a type of Predation in which an Herbivore feeds on Plants (such as Grasses, or more broadly on a multicellular A lawn mower or lawnmower is a machine that has one or more revolving blades to cut a Lawn at an even length [2]

Reproduction
Parts of a spikelet
Parts of a spikelet

Flowers of Poaceae are peculiar. A flower, also known as a bloom or Blossom, is the reproductive structure found in Flowering plants (plants of the division Magnoliophyta, also They are characteristically arranged in spikelets, each spikelet having one or more florets (the spikelets are further grouped into panicles or spikes). A raceme is a type of Inflorescence that is unbranched and indeterminate and bears pedicellate Flowers &mdash flowers having short A spikelet consists of two (or sometimes fewer) bracts at the base, called glumes, followed by one or more florets. A floret consists of the flower surrounded by two bracts called the lemma (the external one) and the palea (the internal). The flowers are usually hermaphroditic (maize, monoecious, is an exception) and pollination is always anemophilous. Maize (ˈmeɪz ( Zea mays L. ssp mays) known as corn in some countries is a cereal grain domesticated in Mesoamerica Pollination in angiosperms and Gymnosperms is the process that transfers pollen grains, which contain the male Gametes (sperm to where the female See also Pollination syndrome Anemophily or wind pollination is a form of Pollination whereby Pollen is distributed by Wind The perianth is reduced to two scales, called lodicules, that expand and contract to spread the lemma and palea; these are generally interpreted to be modified sepals. The term perianth has two similar but separate meanings in botany In Flowering plants the perianth is the outer sterile whorls of a Flower (see This complex structure can be seen in the image on the left, portraying a wheat (Triticum aestivum) spike. Wheat ( Triticum spp is a worldwide cultivated grass from the Levant area of the Middle East.

The fruit of Poaceae is a caryopsis. The term fruit has different meanings dependent on context and the term is not synonymous in Food preparation and Biology. In Botany, a caryopsis is a type of simple dry Fruit &mdash one that is monocarpelate (formed from a single Carpel) and Indehiscent (not

Grass plants also spread out from a parent plant. Growth habit describes the type of shoot growth present in particular grass plants and is directly related to their ability to spread out from the parent plant and ultimately form a clonal colony. "Ramet" redirects here For the commune in Alba County, Romania see Râmeţ. There are three general classifications of growth habit present in grasses; bunch-type, stoloniferous, and rhizomatous. In Botany, a rhizome is a horizontal stem of a Plant that is usually found underground often sending out Roots and Shoots

Cool and Warm Season Grasses

The success of the grasses lies in part in their morphology and growth processes, and in part in their physiological diversity. The grasses divide into two physiological groups, using the C3 and C4 photosynthetic pathways for carbon fixation. carbon fixation is a Metabolic pathway for Carbon fixation in Photosynthesis. C4 carbon fixation is one of three biochemical mechanisms along with C3 and CAM photosynthesis, functioning in land Plants to The C4 grasses have a photosynthetic pathway linked to specialized Kranz leaf anatomy that particularly adapts them to hot climates and an atmosphere low in carbon dioxide. C4 carbon fixation is one of three biochemical mechanisms along with C3 and CAM photosynthesis, functioning in land Plants to Carbon dioxide ( Chemical formula:) is a Chemical compound composed of two Oxygen Atoms covalently bonded to a single

C3 grasses are refereed to as "cool season grasses" while C4 plants are considered "warm season grasses". Cool and warm season grasses can be annual or perennial.

Source for annual and perennial cool and warm season grass names (above) = http://forages.oregonstate.edu/projects/regrowth/main.cfm?PageID=33

Grass evolution

Until recently grasses were thought to have evolved around 55 million years ago, based on fossil records. However, recent findings of 65-million-year-old phytoliths resembling grass phytoliths (including ancestors of rice and bamboo) in Cretaceous dinosaur coprolites[1][3] , may place the diversification of grasses to an earlier date. A phytolith ("plant stone" is a rigid microscopic body that occurs in many Plants The most common type of phytolith is the Silicon phytolith also called Rice is a Cereal foodstuff which forms an important part of the diet of many people worldwide and as such it is a staple food for many Bamboo is a group of Woody perennial Evergreen Plants in the True grass family Poaceae, subfamily The Cretaceous (kriːˈteɪʃəs, usually abbreviated 'K' for its German translation "Kreide" is a geologic period and system, reaching from the end of A Coprolite is Fossilized animal dung Coprolites are classified as trace fossils as opposed to body fossils as they give evidence for the animal's behaviour (in

The flowers of grass are reduced from the general monocotyledon type. A flower, also known as a bloom or Blossom, is the reproductive structure found in Flowering plants (plants of the division Magnoliophyta, also Monocotyledons or monocots are one of two major groups of Flowering plants (angiosperms that are traditionally recognised the other being Dicotyledons The immediate ancestor of the first grass may have been a small Liliaceous plant with rhizomes and many small flowers, growing in dense patches, which adopted wind pollination to escape limitations caused by shortage of insects to pollinate the flowers. Wind is the flow of Air or other Gases that compose an Atmosphere (including but not limited to the Earth's) Insects ( Class Insecta) are a major group of Arthropods and the most diverse group of Animals on the Earth with over a million described Pollination in angiosperms and Gymnosperms is the process that transfers pollen grains, which contain the male Gametes (sperm to where the female

Subfamilies

The grass family has been divided into seven subfamilies:


Economic importance

Grasses are, in human terms, perhaps the most economically important plant family. The Arundinoideae is a Subfamily of the true grass family ( Poaceae) Arundo donax L ( Giant Reed) is a tall perennial reed growing in fresh and moderately saline waters Phragmites australis, the common reed, is a large perennial grass found in Wetlands throughout temperate and tropical regions of the The Bambusoideae is a Subfamily of the True grass Family Poaceae, and is characterized by having 3 Stigmas and are mostly tree-like Bamboo is a group of Woody perennial Evergreen Plants in the True grass family Poaceae, subfamily Rice is a Cereal foodstuff which forms an important part of the diet of many people worldwide and as such it is a staple food for many The Centothecoideae is a Subfamily of the true grass family ( Poaceae) Chloridoideae is a Subfamily of the true grass family ( Poaceae) Panicoideae is a Subfamily of the true grass family. Panicum virgatum, commonly known as switchgrass, is a warm season Grass and is one of the dominant Species of the central North American Maize (ˈmeɪz ( Zea mays L. ssp mays) known as corn in some countries is a cereal grain domesticated in Mesoamerica Sorghum is a genus of numerous species of grasses, some of which are raised for grain and many of which are used as Fodder plants either cultivated or as part Sugarcane ( Saccharum) is a genus of 6 to 37 species (depending on taxonomic interpretation of tall perennial grasses (family Poaceae tribe Andropogoneae The millets are a group of small- Seeded Species of Cereal crops or grains widely grown around the world for Food and Fodder Bluestem can refer to various grasses Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii and other species of the The Pooideae is a Subfamily of the true grass family Poaceae. Wheat ( Triticum spp is a worldwide cultivated grass from the Levant area of the Middle East. Barley ( Hordeum vulgare) is an annual Cereal Grain, which serves as a major animal Feed crop, with smaller amounts used for Oats redirects here It may mean either the common cereal oat discussed here or any cultivated or wild species of the Genus Avena. Stipoideae is a Subfamily of the true grass family ( Poaceae) This article is about a type of grass For the aircraft built by Caproni, see Stipa-Caproni. Grasses' economic importance stems from several areas, including food production, industry, and lawns.

Food production

Agricultural grasses grown for their edible seeds are called cereals. Three cereals– rice, wheat, and maize (corn)– provide more than half of all calories eaten by humans. Rice is a Cereal foodstuff which forms an important part of the diet of many people worldwide and as such it is a staple food for many Wheat ( Triticum spp is a worldwide cultivated grass from the Levant area of the Middle East. Maize (ˈmeɪz ( Zea mays L. ssp mays) known as corn in some countries is a cereal grain domesticated in Mesoamerica [4] Of all crops, 70% are grasses. [5] Cereals constitute the major source of carbohydrate for humans and perhaps the major source of protein, and include rice in southern and eastern Asia, maize in Central and South America, and wheat and barley in Europe, northern Asia and the Americas. Carbohydrates (from ' Hydrates of Carbon ' or saccharides ( Greek σάκχαρον meaning " Sugar " are the most Rice is a Cereal foodstuff which forms an important part of the diet of many people worldwide and as such it is a staple food for many Maize (ˈmeɪz ( Zea mays L. ssp mays) known as corn in some countries is a cereal grain domesticated in Mesoamerica South America is a Continent of the Americas, situated entirely in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a Wheat ( Triticum spp is a worldwide cultivated grass from the Levant area of the Middle East. Barley ( Hordeum vulgare) is an annual Cereal Grain, which serves as a major animal Feed crop, with smaller amounts used for The Americas are the lands of the Western hemisphere or New World, consisting of the Continents of North America and South America

Sugarcane is the major source of sugar production. Sugarcane ( Saccharum) is a genus of 6 to 37 species (depending on taxonomic interpretation of tall perennial grasses (family Poaceae tribe Andropogoneae Sugar is a class of edible Crystalline substances mainly Sucrose, Lactose, and Fructose. Many other grasses are grown for forage and fodder for animal food, particularly for sheep and cattle. In Agriculture, fodder or animal feed is any Foodstuff that is used specifically to feed Domesticated Livestock, such as Cattle, colloquially referred to as cows, are domesticated Ungulates a member of the Subfamily Bovinae of the family Some other grasses are of major importance for foliage production, thereby indirectly providing more human calories.

Industry

Grasses are used for construction. Scaffolding made from bamboo is able to withstand typhoon force winds that would break steel scaffolding. Scaffolding is a temporary framework used to support people and material in the construction or repair of buildings and other large structures [6] Larger bamboos and Arundo donax have stout culms that can be used in a manner similar to timber, and grass roots stabilize the sod of sod houses. Bamboo is a group of Woody perennial Evergreen Plants in the True grass family Poaceae, subfamily Arundo donax L ( Giant Reed) is a tall perennial reed growing in fresh and moderately saline waters The sod house or "Soddy" was a corollary to the log cabin during frontier settlement of the United States and Canada. Arundo is used to make reeds for woodwind instruments, and bamboo is used for innumerable implements. Types of woodwind instruments See also List of woodwind instruments Single-reed instruments use a reed, which is a thin cut

Grass fibre can be used for making paper, and for biofuel production. Fiber or fibre is a class of Materials that are continuous filaments or are in discrete elongated pieces similar to lengths of thread. Paper is thin material mainly used for writing upon printing upon or packaging

Phragmites australis (common reed) is important in water treatment, wetland habitat preservation and land reclamation in the Old World. Phragmites australis, the common reed, is a large perennial grass found in Wetlands throughout temperate and tropical regions of the The Old World consists of those parts of Earth known to Europeans Asians and Africans in the 15th century

Lawns

Grasses are the primary plant used in lawns, which themselves derive from grazed grasslands in Europe. A lawn is an area of recreational or amenity land planted with grass, and sometimes Clover and other plants which are maintained at a low even height Grasslands (also called greenswards) are areas where the Vegetation is dominated by Grasses ( Poaceae) and other Herbaceous (non-woody

Although supplanted by artificial turf in some games, grasses are still an important covering of playing surfaces in many sports, including football, tennis, golf, cricket, and softball/baseball. Artificial turf, or synthetic turf, is a man-made surface manufactured from synthetic materials made to look like natural Grass. Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a Team sport played between two teams of eleven players and is widely considered Tennis is a sport played between two players ( singles) or between two teams of two players each ( doubles) Cricket is a bat-and-ball team Sport that originated in England and is now played in more than 100 countries Softball is a team Sport popular especially in the United States. Baseball is a Bat-and-ball Sport played between two teams of nine players each

Economically important grasses

Grain crops
Leaf and stem crops        
Lawn grasses
Model organisms

Ecological importance

With 10,025 known species, the Poaceae is the fourth largest plant family. Barley ( Hordeum vulgare) is an annual Cereal Grain, which serves as a major animal Feed crop, with smaller amounts used for Maize (ˈmeɪz ( Zea mays L. ssp mays) known as corn in some countries is a cereal grain domesticated in Mesoamerica Oats redirects here It may mean either the common cereal oat discussed here or any cultivated or wild species of the Genus Avena. Rice is a Cereal foodstuff which forms an important part of the diet of many people worldwide and as such it is a staple food for many Rye ( Secale cereale) is a grass grown extensively as a grain and forage crop Sorghum is a genus of numerous species of grasses, some of which are raised for grain and many of which are used as Fodder plants either cultivated or as part Wheat ( Triticum spp is a worldwide cultivated grass from the Levant area of the Middle East. The millets are a group of small- Seeded Species of Cereal crops or grains widely grown around the world for Food and Fodder Bamboo is a group of Woody perennial Evergreen Plants in the True grass family Poaceae, subfamily Poa is a Genus of about 500 Species of grasses native to the temperate regions of both hemispheres Phragmites australis, the common reed, is a large perennial grass found in Wetlands throughout temperate and tropical regions of the Ryegrass ( Lolium) is a genus of nine species of tufted Grasses family Poaceae. Sugarcane ( Saccharum) is a genus of 6 to 37 species (depending on taxonomic interpretation of tall perennial grasses (family Poaceae tribe Andropogoneae A lawn is an area of recreational or amenity land planted with grass, and sometimes Clover and other plants which are maintained at a low even height Bahia grass ( Paspalum notatum) also known as Common bahia and Pensacola bahia, is a tropical to subtropical perennial Grass Agrostis ( bent or bentgrass) is a genus of over 100 species belonging to the grass family Poaceae. Not to be confused with the vertebrate clade " Cynodont " Cynodon ( Greek "Dog-tooth" is a genus of nine species of Centipede grass ( Eremochloa ophiuroides) is a lawn Grass native to China It was introduced to the United States in 1916 and is found primarily Fescue ( Festuca) is a Genus of about 300 Species of perennial tufted Grasses belonging to the grass family Poaceae Poa is a Genus of about 500 Species of grasses native to the temperate regions of both hemispheres Ryegrass ( Lolium) is a genus of nine species of tufted Grasses family Poaceae. St Augustine grass ( Stenotaphrum secundatum) (also known as Charleston Grass in South Carolina is a warm season Lawn Grass that is popular for use in Zoysia is a Genus of eight species of Creeping Grasses native to southeastern and eastern Asia (north to China and Japan A model organism is a Species that is extensively studied to understand particular biological Phenomena, with the expectation that discoveries made Brachypodium distachyon, commonly called purple false brome, is a grass Species native to southern Europe, northern Africa Maize (ˈmeɪz ( Zea mays L. ssp mays) known as corn in some countries is a cereal grain domesticated in Mesoamerica Rice is a Cereal foodstuff which forms an important part of the diet of many people worldwide and as such it is a staple food for many Sorghum is a genus of numerous species of grasses, some of which are raised for grain and many of which are used as Fodder plants either cultivated or as part Wheat ( Triticum spp is a worldwide cultivated grass from the Levant area of the Middle East. Only Orchidaceae, Asteraceae, and Fabaceae have more species, although with over 10,000 species the Rubiaceae is not far behind. The family Asteraceae or Compositae (known as the aster, daisy, or sunflower family) is the largest family of Flowering Fabaceae or Leguminosae is a large and economically important family of Flowering plants which is commonly known as the legume family, pea Rubiaceae is a family of Flowering plants variously called the Madder family, Bedstraw family or coffee [7]

Biomes dominated by grasses are called grasslands. A biome is a climatically and geographically defined area of ecologically similar climatic conditions such as communities of Plants Animals and Grasslands (also called greenswards) are areas where the Vegetation is dominated by Grasses ( Poaceae) and other Herbaceous (non-woody If only large contiguous chunks of grasslands are counted, these biomes cover 31% of the planet's land. [6] Grasslands go by various names depending on location, including pampas, plains, steppes, or prairie.

Grasses are used as food plants by many species of butterflies and moths; see List of Lepidoptera that feed on grasses. A butterfly is an Insect of the order Lepidoptera. Like all Lepidoptera butterflies are notable for their unusual life cycle with a Grasses (Poaceae are very important as food plants for the Larvae of many Lepidoptera species

The evolution of large grazing animals in the Cenozoic has contributed to the spread or grasses. The Cenozoic (also Caenozoic or Cainozoic) Era (ˌsiːnəˈzoʊɪk/ /ˌsɛn- (meaning "new life" ( Greek ( kainos) "new" Without large grazers, a clearcut of fire-destroyed area would soon be colonized by grasses and, if there is enough rain, tree seedlings. The tree seedlings would eventually produce shade, which kills most grasses. Large animals, however, trample the seedlings, killing the trees. Grasses persist because they can survive trampling. [8]

Grass and society

Grass covered house in Iceland
Grass covered house in Iceland

Grass has long had significance in human society. It has been cultivated as a food source for domesticated animals for up to 10,000 years, and has been used to make paper since at least as early as 2400 B.C.

Some common aphorisms involve grass. This is a list of animals that have been domesticated by Humans. Paper is thin material mainly used for writing upon printing upon or packaging The 25th century BC is a Century which lasted from the year 2500 BC to 2401 BC For example:

Image gallery

See also

Further reading

References

  1. ^ a b Piperno, D. R. ; Sues, H. D. (2005). "Dinosaurs Dined on Grass". Science 310 (5751): 1126hor = Piperno, D. R. . doi:10.1126/science.1121020. A digital object identifier ( DOI) is a permanent identifier given to an Electronic document.  
  2. ^ David Attenborough (1984). Sir David Frederick Attenborough OM, CH, CVO, CBE, FRS (born 8 May 1926 in London, England The Living Planet. The Living Planet A Portrait of the Earth is a BBC Nature documentary series written and presented by David Attenborough, first transmitted British Broadcasting Corporation, 113–4. ISBN 0-563-20207-6.  
  3. ^ Prasad, V. ; Stroemberg, C. A. E. ; Alimohammadian, H. ; Sahni, A. (2005). "Dinosaur Coprolites and the Early Evolution of Grasses and Grazers". Science(Washington) 310 (5751): 1177-1180. doi:10.1126/science.1118806. A digital object identifier ( DOI) is a permanent identifier given to an Electronic document.  
  4. ^ Peter H. Raven & George B. Johnson (1995). in Carol J. Mills (ed): Understanding Biology, 3rd, WM C. Brown, 536. ISBN 0-697-22213-6.  
  5. ^ (1985) in George Constable (ed): Grasslands and Tundra, Planet Earth. Time Life Books, 19. ISBN 0-8094-4520-4.  
  6. ^ a b (1985) in George Constable (ed): Grasslands and Tundra, Planet Earth. Time Life Books, 20. ISBN 0-8094-4520-4.  
  7. ^ Angiosperm phylogeny website. Retrieved on 2007-10-07. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 3761 BC - The epoch (origin of the modern Hebrew calendar ( Proleptic Julian calendar)
  8. ^ David Attenborough (1984). Sir David Frederick Attenborough OM, CH, CVO, CBE, FRS (born 8 May 1926 in London, England The Living Planet. The Living Planet A Portrait of the Earth is a BBC Nature documentary series written and presented by David Attenborough, first transmitted British Broadcasting Corporation, 137.  

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