About Deschampsia cespitosa (L.) P.Beauv.
Deschampsia cespitosa has several distinct morphological characteristics. A key distinguishing feature of its leaf blade is texture: the upper surface feels rough and can cut skin when moved in one direction, but is smooth when moved the opposite direction. The dark green upper sides of its leaves are deeply grooved. This species can reach up to 4.5 feet (1.4 meters) in height, and has a long, narrow, pointed ligule. It produces flowers from June through August. This grass can grow in all types of grassland, though it prefers poorly drained soil. It forms a major component of the British NVC community MG9, the Holcus lanatus to Deschampsia cespitosa mesotrophic grasslands. It can grow at altitudes up to 4000 feet. In western North American coastal prairies such as the California coastal prairie, typical native grass associates are Festuca californica, Festuca idahoensis, Danthonia californica, and Nassella pulchra. It acts as a larval host plant for the Juba skipper (Hesperia juba) and the umber skipper (Lon melane).
