Poaceae

Poaceae, also known as true grasses, is a family of monocotyledonous flowering plants that includes some of the world’s most important food crops such as wheat, maize, and rice. Poaceae are hardy, drought-tolerant, and fast-growing plants, making them very useful for agricultural purposes. Also, many of these plants are a renowned source of forage for livestock. Most members of Poaceae have narrow, linear leaves and form an ‘umbrella’ of flowers at the top of the plant. These flowers are typically wind-pollinated and can create large stands of grasses, which provide essential habitat for many species of wildlife. In addition, grasses play a key role in carbon sequestration and water retention in ecosystems.