55. Poaceae

Poaceae, the grass family, is everywhere and abundant. Anyone who has spent time around lawns, corn fields, wheat fields, rice paddies, or bamboo has personal experience of the grass family. I am not surprised to learn that it is the fifth largest plant family, possessing over ten thousand species. It is also one of the most economically important families, providing food, fuel and building materials to a huge portion of humanity. The largest known grasses are the giant bamboo, a fine example of which is seen below, in Kyoto, Japan (photo by Lisa Nowakowski).

Besides the giant bamboo, I have encountered a few other distinctive species. Arundo donax is invasive in a bamboo-like way, and has been choking Californian waterways such as the Salinas River. The Mediterranean import resembles a cross between corn and bamboo. Fortunately its spread, which would otherwise run amok, has been checked by weed abatement programs. Interestingly, Arundo makes an excellent bio-fuel -- one of the best, according to European Union studies. So, if there is a way of harvesting it while at the same time keep it from spreading, I say go for it.

Another California invasive non-native plant that I frequently encounter is pampas grass, Cortederia jubata. The problem, as is sometimes the case with invasive plants, is that it makes an attractive landscaping feature. This one hails, not surprisingly, from the Pampas, or lowlands of South America. It's a great example of the mind-boggling paradox of plants that are at the same time promoted by nurseries and targeted by pest management efforts.