Gastridium ventricosum Flower (28/07/2012, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun to light shade
Flowering period: Summer
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 50cm
Eventual Spread: 40cm
Hardiness: 5b – 10a
Family: Poaceae
Gastridium ventricosum is a tufted annual grass. Its glabrous green leaves are linear, up to 25cm long and 7mm wide. Its pale green to yellow/ brown flowers are panicles, borne on long smooth spikelets and are up to 10cm long and 12mm wide. Its fruit are ovoid and up to 1mm long. This grass will readily self seed.
Gastridium ventricosum, commonly known as Nit Grass, is native to most of Europe, including the south west of the UK. In its native habitat it is found in open grassland, woodland margins and woodland glades. It is has naturalised and considered to be a weed species in a number of countries where it has been introduced.
The etymological root of the binomial name Gastridium is derived from the Greek gaster meaning belly in reference to the swollen base of the spikelets. Ventricosumis derived from the Latin ventriculus, once again meaning belly.
Gastridium ventricosum (28/07/2012, Kew Gardens, London)
The landscape architect may find Gastridium ventricosum useful as part of a native wild flower mix. This grass is tolerant of maritime conditions.
Ecologically, Gastridium ventricosum seeds are attractive to some birds.
Gastridium ventricosum prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.
Gastridium ventricosum requires little maintenance. Self seeded seedlings may need to be controlled.
