Common Name:

General Information

Cynosurus cristatus is a perennial, clump-forming grass with erect, slender culms usually 20 - 70cm tall, occasionally reaching 90cm[, ]. The plant usually forms dense clumps[]
The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use in basket making. It is useftl for helping prevent erosion and restore soils, especially in montane areas.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Throughout Europe and int southwest Asia (Turkeym the Caucasus and Iran)

Habitat

Meadows and glens[]. Grassland, on both acid and basic soils[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	0.60 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Cynosurus cristatus thrives in all temperate climates and is very resistant to cold[]
An easily grown plant, it prefers well-drained, nutrient rich soils, growing best in a loamy-clayey soil with a pH of around 5 - 7[]. Heavily waterlogged or very light sandy soils are not suitable[]. The roots penetrate to a considerable depth, making the plant very tolerant of drought, but it prefers growing in a more humid climate[, ].
On wet soils the plant produces tall growth, yielding plenty of herbage, especially if cut later in the season, but in dry place it remains low[].
The plant is fairly tolerant to shade and therefore can be sown underneath annual crops[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

It is a good meadow grass that protects the soil against erosion thanks to its growth habit and good resistance to intensive grazing. The plant is suitable for restorations up to the subalpine zone as well as in lower regions[]

Other Uses

The culms are sometimes used to make mats and baskets[, ].

Propagation

Seed - sow in situ in early to late spring.