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Tussock grass
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<p>Tussock grasses or bunch grasses are a group of grass species in the family <a href="/facts/Poaceae/q2CRK8q0">Poaceae</a>. They usually grow as singular plants in clumps, tufts, hummocks, or bunches, rather than forming a <a href="/facts/Sod/3dpaJTNK">sod</a> or <a href="/facts/Lawn/8j5Yf84C">lawn</a>, in <a href="/facts/Meadow/gXJr3U3P">meadows</a>, <a href="/facts/Grassland/T4P1kqT0">grasslands</a>, and prairies. As <a href="/facts/Perennial/MQ3NvAUW">perennial</a> plants, most species live more than one season. Tussock grasses are often found as <a href="/facts/Forage/nmHrMYc2">forage</a> in <a href="/facts/Pasture/Spc8pRtq">pastures</a> and <a href="/facts/Ornamental_grass/tfQfAcg9">ornamental grasses</a> in gardens. </p><p>Many species have long roots that may reach two meters (6+1⁄2 feet) or more into the soil, which can aid slope stabilization, <a href="/facts/Erosion_control/cyFXqN0x">erosion control</a>, and <a href="/facts/Characterisation_of_pore_space_in_soil/aLuyMtU6">soil porosity</a> for precipitation absorption. Also, their roots can reach moisture more deeply than other grasses and annual plants during seasonal or climatic droughts. The plants provide habitat and food for insects (including <a href="/facts/Lepidoptera/yPFPsQmL">Lepidoptera</a>), birds, small animals and larger <a href="/facts/Herbivore/me4YFdQA">herbivores</a>, and support beneficial soil <a href="/facts/Mycorrhiza/bAqxvRwm">mycorrhiza</a>. The leaves supply material, such as for <a href="/facts/Basket_weaving/MKF6r8Cx">basket weaving</a>, for <a href="/facts/Indigenous_peoples/zyzBMXBS">indigenous peoples</a> and <a href="/facts/Contemporary_art/UDyTXLez">contemporary artists</a>. </p><p>Tussock and bunch grasses occur in almost any habitat where other grasses are found, including: <a href="/facts/Grasslands/T4P1kqT0">grasslands</a>, <a href="/facts/Savannas/M0tPdd1l">savannas</a> and <a href="/facts/Prairie/nJNHWdGs">prairies</a>, <a href="/facts/Wetlands/9abbP7CR">wetlands</a> and <a href="/facts/Estuary/WmkSInmK">estuaries</a>, <a href="/facts/Riparian_zone/3NQHWM78">riparian zones</a>, <a href="/facts/Shrubland/TuWUtSYv">shrublands</a> and <a href="/facts/Scrubland/TuWUtSYv">scrublands</a>, <a href="/facts/Woodland/BcnoNfmp">woodlands</a> and <a href="/facts/Forest/RnMtb31v">forests</a>, <a href="/facts/Montane/gXbt5Gqn">montane</a> and <a href="/facts/Alpine_climate/wUdLLA3b">alpine</a> zones, <a href="/facts/Tundra/BqC0AQ7u">tundra</a> and <a href="/facts/Dune/Hq26h9hh">dunes</a>, and <a href="/facts/Desert/Mknp4bXq">deserts</a>. </p>