Silver hair grass

Description

Aira caryophyllea is a species of grass known by the common name silver hairgrass. It's a species of bunchgrass that is native to Europe, Africa, and Asia. It has been introduced to other continents, including North America, where it is naturalized and common. Aira caryophyllea is a light green grass with a silvery sheen on its spikelets before it dries and becomes straw-colored to white. The spikelets are borne on a spreading panicle inflorescence. Aira is a genus of Old World plants in the grass family, native to western and southern Europe, central and southwest Asia, plus Africa. The common name, shared with the similar related genera Deschampsia and Koeleria, is hair-grass, from the very slender leaves and stems. The species typically occur on dry, sandy sites, and grow to 20-40 cm tall. Several species are grown as ornamental plants for their very delicate airy seed heads, used in dried flower arrangements.