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Wood Small-Reed

Wood Small-Reed

Calamagrostis epigejos

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How common: Very common

Wood Small-Reed is a tall, robust perennial grass with stiff grey‑green leaves. It is common in open, dry places and often forms large patches. The flower heads are dense, plume‑like and can look green or purple‑tinged in summer.

Did you know?

  • Often forms large, dense patches that can take over open ground.
  • Can cross with related grasses; its cross with beachgrass along Baltic coasts has its own name.

About the species

Identification

Tall grass, usually 50–120 cm. Stems upright and unbranched. Leaves flat, 5–10 mm wide, stiff, rough to the touch and grey‑green; the base where each leaf meets the stem has a fairly long, white, papery flap. Flower head 10–20 cm, dense and narrow, a many‑branched plume that is green to purple‑tinged. The small seeds are grains. Compared with other small‑reeds, it has stiffer, wider leaves and a tighter, heavier plume, not loose and airy. Flowers in Finland from July to August.

Plant group

Grasses, sedges and rushes

Habitat

heath forest

Flowering

Jul–Aug

About the habitat

Prefers dry, sunny, open ground: light forests, sandy and gravelly ridges, rocky slopes and shores. Also thrives on disturbed ground such as embankments, roadsides and clearings. Common in southern and central Finland; rare in central and northern Lapland.

Sources

Photo: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Calamagrostis epigejos kz07.jpg

Text: Pinkka: Verso- ja leviäintunnistus - Kaikki leviäimet, CC BY 4.0 https://laji.fi/taxon/MX.40606

Text: Pinkka: BIO-503 Suomen kasvisto ja kasvillisuus - Metsät: kuivahkot kankaat, CC BY 4.0 https://laji.fi/taxon/MX.40606

Text: Pinkka (Luomus), CC BY 4.0 https://laji.fi/taxon/MX.40606

Text: Wikipedia (Finnish), CC BY-SA 4.0 https://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hietakastikka

See also