page_title: Tussock (grass)
section_title: South America
hierarchical_section_title: Tussock (grass) / Species / South America
caption_attribution_description: Deutsch: Pflanzenwelt nahe Keetmanshoop in Namibia
context_page_description: Tussock grasses or bunch grasses are a group of grass species in the family Poaceae. They usually grow as singular plants in clumps, tufts, hummocks, or bunches, rather than forming a sod or lawn, in meadows, grasslands, and prairies. As perennial plants, most species live more than one season. Tussock grasses are often found as forage in pastures and ornamental grasses in gardens.
  Many species have long roots that may reach 2 meters or more into the soil, which can aid slope stabilization, erosion control, and soil porosity for precipitation absorption. Also, their roots can reach moisture more deeply than other grasses and annual plants during seasonal or climatic droughts. The plants provide habitat and food for insects, birds, small animals and larger herbivores, and support beneficial soil mycorrhiza. The leaves supply material, such as for basket weaving, for indigenous peoples and contemporary artists.
  Tussock and bunch grasses occur in almost any habitat where other grasses are found, including: grasslands, savannas and prairies, wetlands and estuaries, riparian zones, shrublands and scrublands, woodlands and forests, montane and alpine zones, tundra and dunes, and deserts.
context_section_description: Tufted hair-grass — (Deschampsia cespitosa) - (up through North America)
  Serrated tussock — (Nassella trichotoma) - (common pasture weed in Australia)
  Tussac grass — (Poa flabellata)
  (Synonyms: Parodiochloa flabellata, Festuca flabellata, Dactylis caespitosa)
caption: Tussock and various types of flora near Keetmanshoop in Namibia
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