Grass – Sharon Friends of Conservation

Smooth Brome grass – 5/28/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/28/23 Observation Time: 9:40 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Smooth Brome grass Scientific Name: Bromus inermis Comments: Smooth brome is a Eurasian species of grass introduced to North America, where it has been used extensively for habitat rehabilitation and as a forage plant. More Information: Go Botany

Orchard Grass – 5/28/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/28/23 Observation Time: 9:35 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Orchard Grass Scientific Name: Dactylis glomerata Comments: Native to Europe, orchard grass has been introduced nearly worldwide. It came to North America in the 1700s, and is frequently planted as a forage grass. More Information: Go Botany

Smooth Meadow-grass – 5/28/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/28/23 Observation Time: 9:30 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Smooth Meadow-grass Scientific Name: Poa pratensis Comments: Smooth meadow-grass is valued as a pasture and turf grass, particularly in golf courses, but is considered an invasive weed in natural grassland ecosystems, where it outcompetes native species, reduces biodiversity and alters nitrogen cycling and ecosystem function. More Information: […]

Swan’s Sedge – 5/25/23

Observer: John Baur Observation Date: 5/25/23 Observation Time: 12:26 p.m. Observation Location: trail off Lakeview St. Common Name: Swan’s Sedge Scientific Name: Carex swanii Comments: A diverse array of grass species can be found in Sharon. More Information: iNaturalist

White-edged Sedge – 5/25/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/25/23 Observation Time: 7:00 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: White-edged Sedge Scientific Name: Carex debilis Comments: The drooping seed stalks are characteristic. More Information: Go Botany

False Hop Sedge – 9/4/20

Observer: Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program employees Observation Date: 9/4/20 Observation Time: 2:00 p.m. Observation Location: undisclosed location in Sharon Common Name: False Hop Sedge Scientific Name: Carex lupuliformis Comments: False Hop Sedge is an endangered species in Massachusetts. The NHESP observers said they saw only a few plants. As of 9/4/20, this species does not appear on the list of rare species that have been […]

Heller’s Rosette Grass – 8/13/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 8/13/20 Observation Time: 2:25 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Rd. Common Name: Heller’s Rosette Grass Scientific Name: Dichanthelium oligosanthes Comments: I identified this peculiar clump of grass using a cool app called Seek. It sprang up in a cleared and mulched area where there was no competition from other grass. More Information: Friends of the Wildflower Garden

Deer-tongue Grass – 7/12/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/12/20 Observation Time: 6:40 p.m. Observation Location: along Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Deer-tongue Grass Scientific Name: Dichanthelium clandestinum Comments: Deer-tongue grass is a perennial cool-season grass native to eastern North America. It can grow up to 4′ tall. It is tolerant of low pH soils, high concentrations of aluminum, drought conditions, and infertile soils. For these reasons, it is used in […]

Blue-eyed Grass – 5/30/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/30/20 Observation Time: 3:05 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Blue-eyed grass Scientific Name: Sisyrinchium angustifolium Comments: Blue-eyed grass grows in fields, meadows and the edges of wetlands. This clump was growing along the dirt road under the high-tension lines. Except in spring when its small, blue flowers make it conspicuous, this plant is hard to pick out among […]

Deer-tongue Grass – 6/2/19

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/2/19 Observation Time: 3:15 p.m. Observation Location: Along the dirt road under the power lines on the other side of South Main Street from Ward’s Berry Farm Common Name: Deer-tongue Grass Scientific Name: Dichanthelium clandestinum Comments: Deer-tongue grass is a perennial cool-season grass native to eastern North America. It grows to 2′ to 4′ tall. It is tolerant of low pH […]

Tussock Sedge – 5/8/19

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/8/19 Observation Time: 8:15 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary (wetland boardwalk) Common Name: Tussock Sedge Scientific Name: Carex stricta Comments: A clumping, upright sedge with narrow, yellowish green leaves. Reddish brown flowers bloom early summer. Prefers moist fertile soil but will tolerate dry or wet sites. More Information: North Creek Nurseries

Reed Canary Grass – 7/7/18

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/7/18 Observation Time: 12:50 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Reed Canary Grass Scientific Name: Phalaris arundinacea Comments: Reed canary grass has become invasive or problematic in New England and across North America, and the invasive plants may be the Eurasian genotype. More Information: GoBotany

Panic Grass – 6/15/13

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/15/13 Observation Time: 2:30 p.m. Observation Location: Conservation land beyond Sandy Ridge Circle Common Name: Panic Grass Scientific Name: Dichanthelium sp. Comments: There are numerous kinds of panic grasses. This one was growing in a wooded area along the trail that parallels Beaver Brook, beginning at the Sandy Ridge Circle cul-de-sac. More Information: Cape May Plants

Tussock Sedge – 5/12/11

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/12/11 Observation Time: 6:50 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon boardwalk Common Name: Tussock Sedge Scientific Name: Carex stricta Comments: A clumping, upright sedge with narrow, yellowish green leaves. Reddish brown flowers bloom early summer. Prefers moist fertile soil but will tolerate dry or wet sites. More Information: North Creek Nurseries