Holcus species - Soft-grasses

There are two common species and H. lanatus especially is widely distributed and often abundant.

They have a compound panicle, the spikelets are compressed and have two florets. The glumes are both keeled and the lemma is tough and shiny.

Holcus lanatus - Yorkshire-fog

Although tufted, this grass forms dense swards where conditions allow, usually producing a distinctive light greyish-green cover. The whole plant is softly hairy and there are often pink tinges on the pale flowerheads as well as pink to reddish stripes at the base of the culms. The panicles can look very different when first forming to when they are fully opened and their appearance again changes once the seeds have ripened, so familiarity with all stages is advisable. For more information see here.

Holcus mollis - Creeping Soft-grass

Sparsely hairy and the sheats are glabrous with a clear tuft of downwards pointing hairs at the nodes. The awn projects well beyond the glumes.

Holcus mollis - Creeping Soft-grass