Dactylis glomerata L.
Barnyard Grass
Cock's-foot is a vigorous, coarsely tufted perennial grass native to Britain and across Europe, temperate Asia and North Africa. It forms strong clumps of broad, folded, grey-green leaves with flattened bases, and produces a characteristic flowerhead of tight, one-sided clusters of spikelets held at the tips of branches, said to resemble a bird's foot, which loosens and pales as it ripens.
About
Cock's-foot is a vigorous, coarsely tufted perennial grass native to Britain and across Europe, temperate Asia and North Africa. It forms strong clumps of broad, folded, grey-green leaves with flattened bases, and produces a characteristic flowerhead of tight, one-sided clusters of spikelets held at the tips of branches, said to resemble a bird's foot, which loosens and pales as it ripens.
A tough, adaptable grass, it grows almost everywhere on fertile, well-drained ground, from rough meadows and field margins to verges, hedge banks and waste places, in sun or partial shade. Its bulk and competitiveness mean it belongs in taller meadow, verge and pasture mixes rather than fine lawns, where it can otherwise dominate. It is an important agricultural forage grass and has good wildlife value: the dense tussocks shelter insects and small mammals, and it is a larval food plant for several grass-feeding butterflies and moths.
Also known as
Cat Grass · Cock's-Foot · Cocksfoot · Cocksfoot Grass · Cockspur · Ochard-grass · Orchard Grass · Orchardgrass · Slender Cock's-foot
Synonyms
Bromus glomeratus · Dacttylis glomerata · Dactylis ciliata · Dactylis glomerata acroantha · Dactylis glomerata amplectens · Dactylis glomerata angustifrons · Dactylis glomerata australis · Dactylis glomerata barbata · Dactylis glomerata ciliata · Dactylis glomerata confusa · Dactylis glomerata congesta · Dactylis glomerata divergens
In our seed mixes
Beta — under active development. This catalogue is still being built and accuracy-checked. The information here (including plant identifications, British native status, soil and sun/shade preferences) is provided in good faith for general guidance only and may contain errors or omissions. It must not be relied upon on its own — please confirm details with us before making planting, specification, foraging or purchasing decisions, and never eat or medicinally use any plant based on this catalogue alone, as some species are toxic. To the extent permitted by law, Phoenix Amenity Supplies accepts no liability for any loss arising from use of this information.