Graminoid

This article is about plants with a grass-like appearance. For the clade containing Poaceae and some related families, see Graminid clade.

In botany and ecology, a graminoid refers to a herbaceous plant with a grass-like morphology, i.e., elongated culms with long, blade-like leaves. They are contrasted with forbs, herbaceous plants without grass-like features.

Germinating fescue grass with long, blade-like leaves

The plants most often referred to include the families Poaceae (grasses in the strict sense), Cyperaceae (sedges), and Juncaceae (rushes). These are not closely related but belong to different clades in the order Poales. The grasses (Poaceae) are by far the largest family, with some 12,000 species.

Ecology

Besides their similar morphology, graminoids share a widespread occurrence and often dominance in open habitats such as grasslands or marshes. They can, however, also be found in the understory of forests. Sedges and rushes tend to prefer wetter habitats than grasses.

Gallery

• Examples of graminoid plants
• 
  Common rush (Juncus effusus), Juncaceae
• 
  Nutsedge (Cyperus capitatus), Cyperaceae
• 
  Festuca cinerea, Poaceae

Etymology

The word graminoid is derived from the Latin grāmen, meaning both “grass” and “herb”, with the suffix -oid denoting “-like; resembling, characteristic of”.

See also

• Reed
• Seagrass

References

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