Deschampsia flexuosa, commonly known as wavy hair-grass, is a species of bunchgrass in the grass family widely distributed in Eurasia, Africa, South America, and North America.

Description

Wavy hair-grass, Deschampsia flexuosa, has wiry leaves and delicate, shaking panicles formed of silvery or purplish-brown flower heads on wavy, hair-like stalks. The leaves are bunched in tight tufts with plants forming a very tussocky, low sward 5 to 20 cm tall before flowering, to 30 cm high.

Distribution and habitat

Deschampsia flexuosa is found naturally in dry grasslands and on moors and heaths. It is also an important component of the ground flora of birch and oak woodland. The plant has a preference for acidic, free-draining soil, and avoids chalk and limestone areas. It can exist over 1200 m above sea level.