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Stipa capillata (Stipa capillata)
Photo: Stefan.lefnaer, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

On the map in 2 countries grass

Stipa capillata

Stipa capillata

Family: Poaceae

On our map this plant appears in 2 countries and ranks highest in: Mongolia, Moldova.

A perennial tussock grass growing 30–80 cm tall, with narrow, rolled leaves that guard well against water loss. The grains carry very long, hair-thin, bent and twisted awns that coil and uncoil as humidity changes, literally screwing the seed into the soil. Together with other feather grasses and fescues it forms the dense swards of typical steppe on dry chestnut soils. In spring and early summer it is valuable fodder, while the sharp ripe grains work their way into sheep’s fleece. The species has a huge range – it also grows in Poland, on xerothermic grasslands.

Description from: Mongolia.

More: Wikipedia (en) Wikipedia (pl) Plants of the World Online (Kew)

Significance in each country

  1. Mongolia no. 4 of 10 native

    Feather-grass steppes cover a vast part of Mongolia and for thousands of years have sustained the nomadic herding on which Mongolian culture rests; however, overgrazing is causing the feather grasses to give way to less valuable plants.

  2. Moldova no. 5 of 5 native

    Most of Moldova’s steppe has been turned into fields, and patches of feather grass have survived mainly on steep slopes and in nature reserves – which is why they have become a symbol of the disappearing native nature of the south.