Grasses for Beginners

There are over 150 species of native grasses in Britain. Learn how to identify some of the common species. On this course you will cover: • the basic structure of grasses and especially the inflorescence • how grasses can be distinguished from sedges and rushes • the top 30 grasses You will learn about the key characteristics which help distinguish the different species. Most of the morning will be spent indoors getting to grips with the basic features of the Poaceae (Grass family) and particularly those that can be used as clues to identification. The emphasis of the course will be on identification by close examination as well as considering useful field characteristics. Simplified keys will be introduced. Plenty of guidance will be given in the use of scientific keys to identification. We shall concentrate on those species which are common in Kent. The rest of the day will be spent in Tyland Barn Nature Park and immediate vicinity practising the process of identifying many of the common species. Led by Ros Bennett, Botanist and ecologist Suitable for beginners and improvers who don't have a working knowledge of grasses. Photo: Yorkshire fog (J. Shorter) For further information, please visit the Study Days page of the Kent Wildlife Trust website.