| Deschampsia | |
|---|---|
| |
| Deschampsia flexuosa (left) Deschampsia cespitosa (right)[4] | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Poaceae |
| Subfamily: | Pooideae |
| Supertribe: | Poodae |
| Tribe: | Poeae |
| Subtribe: | Aristaveninae F.Albers & Butzin |
| Genus: | Deschampsia P.Beauv.[1] |
| Type species | |
| Deschampsia cespitosa | |
| Synonyms[5] | |
| |
Deschampsia is a genus of plants in the grass family, commonly known as hair grass[6] or tussock grass. The genus is widespread across many countries.[7][8]
The genus is named for French physician and naturalist Louis Auguste Deschamps (1765–1842).[7][9]
Deschampsia species are used as food plants by the larvae of some species of Lepidoptera, including antler moth, the clay, clouded-bordered brindle, common wainscot, dark arches, dusky brocade, shoulder-striped wainscot, smoky wainscot and wall.
Deschampsia sometimes grow in boggy acidic formations, an example of which is the Portlethen Moss, Scotland. Deschampsia antarctica is the world's most southern monocot,[10][11] and one of only two flowering plants of Antarctica.[12][13]
Some species, such as D. cespitosa and D. flexuosa, are grown as ornamental garden plants.
Deschampsia formerly included many species now placed in other genera, such as Aira, Antinoria, Bromus, Calamagrostis, Centropodia, Colpodium, Dissanthelium, Holcus, Periballia, Peyritschia, Poa, Trisetum and Vahlodea.[5]
