We take grass for granted. It’s ubiquity, particularly in the United States, makes us forget that it’s one of the most important and impressive plants on the planet. Grass makes up at least 25% of the Earth’s vegetation cover and is the most widespread plant family, with over 12,000 species found in diverse habitats ranging from grasslands and savannas to forests and wetlands. Despite its global significance, grass is often overlooked and underappreciated. Let’s take a look at some surprising facts that will, hopefully, allow you to appreciate the ubiquitous plant just a little bit more.
- Giant bamboo is the largest member of the grass family. They often grow to 100 feet and have a width of 10 inches. Bamboo is also the fastest growing plant.
- The oldest living organism is a grass found by researchers in the Mediterranean Sea. It’s estimated—unbelievably—to be more than 200,000 years old.
- Grass grows on every continent (yes, even Antarctica too!).
- More than half of the world’s animal species depend on grass as their primary source of food.
- There are over 400 species of grass that can be eaten by humans.
- Grass is an excellent natural filter for rainwater (which especially comes in handy if you have a natural well).
- When you smell the lovely stench of fresh cut grass, what you’re actually smelling is grass’ self-defense chemicals. These chemicals are called green leaf volatiles (GLVs) and act as a mechanism to help the grass heal and protect itself from insects and disease.
It’s easy to forget about grass—and when you have to religiously tend to it, it’s even easy to develop a slight disdain for it. If this blogpost does anything, we hope it lets you appreciate grass just a tiny bit more, because it truly is an organism worthy of at least a small sliver of admiration.
