There are 7000 different kinds of grasses. Grasslands are found in all parts of the world, from the tropics to the Arctic, and from the lowest valley to the highest elevations where plant and animal life can survive. Other members of the grass family furnish medicine and oil. Grasses are invaluable in soil conservation because of their ability to hold soil in place. Their tangle of roots and stems forms a web.
Grasses hold sand dunes in place.
The cord grass Spartina anglica helps to trap silt in tidal waters so other plants can establish themselves as the level of the land builds up. With over 300 genus and 3500 species of grasses, it might be easy to get discouraged trying to identify the many types one might see in his own neighborhood. However, the exercise is well worth it. A natural history guide to grasses should be available through a public library. To get started, remember there are a few names that are common to all grasses.