Grass Identification Basics

Grasses are a common feature of the Montana landscape. They provide forage for livestock, habitat for wildlife, crops for food and income, and turf and ornamental plants for human enjoyment. There are many reasons to learn to identify grasses, but it can be challenging because different species look similar to one another at first glance. Grass identification requires looking at characteristics that are small and typically not as showy as the bright and colorful petals of broad-leaved wildflowers. This video covers basic grass anatomy and helps explain terms commonly used for grass identification. It does not identify specific grasses but instead is intended to be used with your favorite field guide, dichotomous key, or smartphone app. Similar information can be found in the printed publication “Grass Identification Basics” from Montana State University Extension. For detailed identification information about specific grasses, see the Montana Grasses app (www.highcountryapps.com/flora...) which uses the terms and concepts outlined in this video.

[@moohollow8133]

Concise, informative video. thank you!

[@ep875]

Very helpful and to the point!

[@bryanhauschild4376]

Very good!
Do you have any detailed info for Klein grass?

[@MSUExtensionChannel]

Thank you! Montana State University Extension resources about grasses can be found on our store's webpage. These resources are specific to the grasses found in Montana. store.msuextension.org/Departments/Publications/AG-Agriculture-and-Natural-Resources.aspx

[@stevenflick9400]

Does western wheat grass start out early green and then turm blue? Or is the green a defferent type of grass?

[@MSUExtensionChannel]

From the MSU Extension Plant Identification Diagnostician: Thanks for the question! In my experience western wheatgrass (Pascopyron smithii) tends to be that blue-green color in the spring as well as when it is more mature. However, I do find that it varies in how “blue” it appears in general, so I think it’s possible it might look more green early on. If you need a more certain answer than that, you might try reaching out to your local Extension resources for plant ID assistance.

[@Hayley-sl9lm]

I'm having trouble figuring out what is meant by "membranous". All ligules look membranous to me?

[@MSUExtensionChannel]

"Thanks for the question! I would say that most grasses have membranous ligules, so that will be what you see most often. If you think about ligules as being in three broad categories (membranous, hairy, or absent) that might help. In Montana we don't have very many grasses that have no ligule- an example would be barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli). Some grasses have a line of hairs as their ligule- an example is witchgrass (Panicum capillare). Most grasses have that membranous ligule, which you can think of as a papery piece of tissue, if that is helpful." - Noelle Orloff, Plant Identification Diagnostician at the Schutter Diagnostic Lab and Montana State University Extension