Polypogon is a nearly cosmopolitan genus of plants in the grass family, commonly known beard grass or rabbitsfoot grass.

Description

Polypogon species vary in appearance; some are erect, while others drape over the ground in waves. Many have soft, fluffy inflorescences that look like rabbit's foot amulets. Some are introduced species established outside their native ranges. Some of those are considered invasive species and noxious weeds, most notably Polypogon monspeliensis, the annual beard grass. Numerous species now regarded as better suited to other genera: Agrostis, Alopecurus, Brachypodium, Chaetium, Gymnopogon, Muhlenbergia, Pentameris, Reynaudia, and Triniochloa.

Phytoremediation

Polypogon monspeliensis was investigated for its mercury-accumulating properties as a phytoremediation plant. A U.S. NIS—National Institutes of Health-funded study showed the plant to take up 110 times more mercury (HgS) than control plant species. This mercury hyperaccumulator sequesters the toxin in its roots in an insoluble form, reducing exposure to ecological receptors in situ and in erosion sediments.