Pictorial guide to the flora of the British Isles

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Gastridium ventricosum (Gouan) Schinz & Thell.

nit-grass (Poaceae / Gramineae)

 SpreadBias within British IslesDirection of bias
RestrictedVery strong tendencyS
Plant Atlas 2020
BSBI Distribution Map

Gastridium ventricosum is a rare grass of sun-baked calcareous soils, mostly on steep south-facing slopes, in southern England and a few sites in South Wales.

Worth Matravers (VC9: Dorset) ; 2020-06-09

 nit-grass / Gastridium ventricosum: _Gastridium ventricosum_ is a rare grass of sun-baked calcareous soils, mostly on steep south-facing slopes, in southern England and a few sites in South Wales.

Each flower has a shiny white swelling at the base, which resembles the egg of a head-louse, which is why the species is known as ‘nit-grass’.

Worth Matravers (VC9: Dorset) ; 2020-06-09

 nit-grass / Gastridium ventricosum: Each flower has a shiny white swelling at the base, which resembles the egg of a head-louse, which is why the species is known as ‘nit-grass’.

All images copyright © Christopher J. Dixon unless otherwise indicated.

L-R: Bidens tripartita, Melilotus officinalis, Mimulus guttatus, Thalictrum flavum, Ranunculus peltatus, Anchusa arvensis, Malva alcea, Lolium perenne