x
FloraFinder uses cookies only for correct operation. More info. Okay

 

Holcus lanatus L.

Velvet grass, sweet velvet grass, Yorkshire fog, common velvetgrass

Velvet grass is native to Europe, western Asia, and the Canary Islands, introduced to North America and now widespread or invasive in some areas.

Plants: Stems are erect, hollow, 1–3′ (30–99 cm) tall. Stems may be somewhat flat at the base, generating new roots.

Leaves: Leaf blades are 2–8″ (5–20 cm) long and ⅛–⅜″ (4–12 mm) wide.

Flowers: The panicles (flowerheads) are compact, up to 6″ (15 cm) long. Each spikelet typically has two flowers.

Fruits: This species reproduces by spreading and putting down new roots, or by producing prolific seeds. Seeds are 1/32–1/16″ (1.5–2 mm) long.

Habitats: Pastures, grasslands, wet to moist meadows, open forests and woodlands.

Online References:

CalPhotos at the University of California, Berkeley

Wikipedia

CalPhotos at the University of California, Berkeley

SEINet—the Southwest Environmental Information Network

Nothoholcus lanatus (L.) Nash

 

Holcus lanatus (velvet grass, sweet velvet grass, Yorkshire fog, common velvetgrass)

6/15/2025 · Morse Mountain Preserve, Phippsburg, Maine · ≈ 6 × 8″ (14 × 21 cm)

Holcus lanatus (velvet grass, sweet velvet grass, Yorkshire fog, common velvetgrass)

6/15/2025 · Morse Mountain Preserve, Phippsburg, Maine · ≈ 15 × 10″ (38 × 25 cm)

Holcus lanatus (velvet grass, sweet velvet grass, Yorkshire fog, common velvetgrass)

6/10/2016 · Monhegan Island, Maine

Holcus lanatus (velvet grass, sweet velvet grass, Yorkshire fog, common velvetgrass)

6/10/2016 · Monhegan Island, Maine

Holcus lanatus (velvet grass, sweet velvet grass, Yorkshire fog, common velvetgrass)

6/10/2016 · Monhegan Island, Maine

Holcus lanatus (velvet grass, sweet velvet grass, Yorkshire fog, common velvetgrass)

5/31/2010 · Mt. Lebanon St., Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 1 × 2′ (41 × 62 cm) ID is uncertain

Holcus lanatus (velvet grass, sweet velvet grass, Yorkshire fog, common velvetgrass)

7/5/2021 · Curtis Farm Preserve, Harpswell, Maine · ≈ 3½ × 4½″ (9 × 11 cm)

Holcus lanatus (velvet grass, sweet velvet grass, Yorkshire fog, common velvetgrass)

6/13/2011 · Great Falls State Park, Washington, DC · ≈ 6 × 9″ (15 × 23 cm)

Holcus lanatus (velvet grass, sweet velvet grass, Yorkshire fog, common velvetgrass)

6/15/2025 · Morse Mountain Preserve, Phippsburg, Maine · ≈ 6 × 9″ (14 × 21 cm)

Holcus lanatus (velvet grass, sweet velvet grass, Yorkshire fog, common velvetgrass)

6/13/2011 · Great Falls State Park, Washington, DC · ≈ 5 × 8″ (13 × 19 cm)

Holcus lanatus (velvet grass, sweet velvet grass, Yorkshire fog, common velvetgrass)

6/10/2016 · Monhegan Island, Maine

Holcus lanatus (velvet grass, sweet velvet grass, Yorkshire fog, common velvetgrass)

6/13/2011 · Great Falls State Park, Washington, DC · ≈ 4½ × 7″ (11 × 17 cm)

Holcus lanatus (velvet grass, sweet velvet grass, Yorkshire fog, common velvetgrass)

6/13/2011 · Great Falls State Park, Washington, DC · ≈ 3½ × 5″ (9.2 × 13 cm)

KingdomPlantaePlants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae (from Stearn's Botanical Latin)
SubkingdomTracheobiontaVascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
DivisionMagnoliophytaFlowering plants, also known as angiosperms
ClassLiliopsidaMonocots (plants with a single seed leaf); includes the lily family
SubclassCommelinidaeDayflowers and spiderworts, and several others
OrderCyperalesFlowering plants including grasses
FamilyPoaceaeGrasses (but not sedges or rushes)
GenusHolcusFrom the Greek holkos, an ancient name for some kind of grain or possibly grass
SpecieslanatusCovered with long, woolly hair

About plant names...

Range:

About this map...

Holcus lanatus description by Thomas H. Kent, not updated.

© FloraFinder.org. All rights reserved.