BENT GRASS

any of the annual and perennial grasses of the genus Agrostis (family Poaceae), with about 125 species distributed in temperate and cool parts of the world and at high altitudes in subtropical and tropical areas. At least 40 species are found in the United States; some are weeds, others are forage and turf plants. Bent grasses have slender stems, flat blades, and open or dense clusters of small spikelets. Many have creeping stolons (horizontal, subsurface stems). Redtop (A. gigantea), 1 to 1.5 metres (about 3 to 5 feet) tall, was introduced into North America during colonial times as a hay and pasture grass. It spreads by rhizomes and has reddish flowers. The smaller, creeping bent (A. stolonifera variety palustris), known as fiorin in England, whose stolons grow up to 1.2 m per season, and colonial bent (A. tenuis) are popular lawn grasses. The many strains of both species are planted in golf courses and bowling greens around the world; they are closely cut to develop a finely textured, spongy firm turf.