THE PRAIRIE CORDGRASS; A DELICACY IN THE WILD
Flying at 3000 feet above sea level, the Canadian goose channels its vision onto a piece of wetland somewhere in the Midwest and decides to take a pit stop. Nostalgia kicks in as it descends in altitude and it says to itself, I have been here before. Unfortunately, what used to be a feasting ground couple months ago was now covered in snow, and if not for how good a time the goose had during its last visit, it certainly wouldn’t have had the slightest clue where it had just landed. Oh well, how the times have changed, must the bird have felt and expressed disappointedly through its squeaks and chirps. It was certainly time to say goodbye to quite an unsatisfying little trip, and hopefully make its way back there another time when its delicacy is out in its full element.
Fast forward a couple months into April, the warm season is fast approaching and look who is here ready to blossom. The seed of the prairie cordgrass is clueless as to where it is going to start its new life but anywhere within the sight of floodplains, wet meadows and back dune areas fit its preferential neighborhood to start with. Well, fate certainly chose it and some insects decide to pollinate its seeds from some other part of the area and drop it on a wet meadow. Seeding the cordgrass with other warm-season grasses adds to enrich its environment and provides support for cover and nature mysteriously makes this possible. In about two weeks the seed emerges and gives life to a new plant.
The feasting ground begins to rejuvenate, and the prairie grass makes it appearance clearly by developing paired spikelets made up of tan-colored seed heads and leaf blades sharper-looking than a two-edged saw. Whoever sets foot on its territory must be cautious in dealing with it. The margins of its blade raise their guard against encroachers or anyone walking through it, and at any time of the interaction it is ready to cut through skin. That is what the ‘real world’ looks like, right? You wake up, go out in search for what you need to survive while guarding against competitors and predators. The prairie cordgrass has already grabbed a hold of this concept and is ready to protect its space and survival against intruders with its defense mechanism.
In a year or two the grass attains a height within the ranges of 5-10 feet and establishes its unique identity in the world. Its floral spikes are 2 to 6 inches long and each contain 25 narrow spikelets that are held together on one side of its secondary stalk, the rachilla. Its root system is fibrous and very rhizome-like. In all, its robust nature is a way of saying it is ready to deal with whatever comes its way be it the cold, warmth, sunshine, rain, or the wind.
In the non-exact words of Alexander Darwin; competition, survival, and reproduction are key to being naturally selected, and in order to do so there has to be evolution and adaptation. The Prairie Cordgrass has evolved spectacularly to adapt to nature’s dispositions. Adaptation is a key trait that determines the longevity of any group of species that inhabit the world. Darwin would certainly be fond of the Prairie Cordgrass. How does it do it? The grass is able to thrive in soils that would be considered unfavorable; rocky, sandy, and poorly drained. All it needs is a little bit of water moisture and survival is not a problem.
Optimal growth for the Prairie cordgrass is during the warm season but an extremity of warmth and heat pose a challenge. However, the Cordgrass is able to withstand hot weather conditions because it practices C4 photosynthesis. It effectively manages opening and closing of its stomata and thus very able to prevent unnecessary water loss.
Rather than take away from nature, the prairie cordgrass adds value in so many forms to the diverse aspect of it. The prairie cordgrass provides a good refuge or cover for game birds and small mammals to not be seen by their predators. A prime example of a species looking out for the wellbeing of another species very different from itself even though it does not have to.
The Prairie cordgrass has a rhizome system that engages in symbiosis with mycorrhizae fungi. In as much as this species of grass has an extensive physiological system and could possibly get by on its own, it is in a partnership with the mycorrhizae fungi which aids in helping it obtain the necessary nutrients for growth and development. This partnership I think is something that speaks volumes and shows the importance of engaging in non-exploitative partnerships with other people on a human level and also with other species on a bigger scale in the ecosystem.
Boundaries, Inhibitions, and limitations are life rules some species do not abide by and the prairie cordgrass is certainly one of them. You try growing a plant in a chamber pot and as it blooms, signs of cracks on the pot become more and more visible. It is not about impeding on a space that is not yours or staying in your lane and never needing to know what the other lanes feel like. For a lack of an exact percentage, I would just say, most humans accept limitations thrown on them by the rubric of society and fail to explore the vast amount of experiences and opportunities that exist outside of a pre-defined space.
Whether it be in a relationship, a job we like that is far away from the hometown we grew up in, a college education on the other side of the country, or sacrificing a comfort zone lifestyle to set up a profitable business, we never know what the outcome is till we branch out. Spartina pectina formally known as the Prairie Cordgrass commands a different perspective and approach through its non-human lens.
The prairie cordgrass can thrive outside of its comfort zone because of its ability to expand and grow beyond its limits. Its root system is so extensive and that enables it to thrive in unfavorable soils. Also, because of the division of its rhizomes, the grass is able to establish new plants. This trait of the Prairie cordgrass is one to be admired and emulated from.
It is the ending of August and the flying Canadian goose decides to make its trip back to the wet-meadow feasting ground. This time around it brings along a couple bird mates and managed to convince them how good of a time it can be if the conditions are favorable. The goose is the leader of its pack and it leads the charge in the air as its flock follow suit in a ‘v’ pattern. So much enthusiasm and zeal are embodied in this voyage as they navigate through the cool air breeze. As they descend its quite blurry what the scene holds in store, but the flock are optimistic.
The goose makes it landing at last and Its favorite delicacy is looking succulent and well blossomed. However, in sight are other visitors scoping the scene and making merry on what seems to be a delicacy as well. The black duck and mallard flock pose as an interference to the goose’s agenda however it is not a competitive one. The scenario is like two guests at a party that are feasting on two different things; there certainly is enough for everybody at that point.
The duck and mallard are spotted eating the seed heads of the cordgrass but that is the least favorite of the geese. The rootstocks are its crème de la crème and as long as the rootstocks go untouched, paths between both species will not be crossed. The geese make themselves at home and feed on the rootstocks till their appetite is quenched. Even though they outnumber their counterparts, the geese spread apart and communicate to each other with their mysterious chirps and squeaks. Staying on guard is crucial in the wild and at any given moment the switch goes off and you are at the mercy of your predator. As the dawn of the day approaches, it is time to pay farewell and head back home. The geese gather in formation and in royal fashion depart to return whenever the cordgrass blossoms again the coming year.
It is said plants go to sleep, but do we know when they wake up? For some, it is when the sun rises, and for others it can be hours and even seasons later. The Cordgrass gracefully checks out with the winter season approaching and looks forward to making its appearance when the warmth comes around again. It needs no announcement when it blossoms again because the grass is always greener on the other side but only if it is the Prairie cordgrass on the other side. Hopefully, this time around the flying goose does not miss out but appears just in time for its yearly feast.
WORKS CITED
https://plants.usda.gov/factsheet/pdf/fs_sppe.pdf
https://www.mortonarb.org/trees-plants/tree-plant-descriptions/prairie-cord-grass
https://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/grasses/plants/pr_cordgrass.htm
https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/grass-sedge-rush/prairie-cordgrass
Fast forward a couple months into April, the warm season is fast approaching and look who is here ready to blossom. The seed of the prairie cordgrass is clueless as to where it is going to start its new life but anywhere within the sight of floodplains, wet meadows and back dune areas fit its preferential neighborhood to start with. Well, fate certainly chose it and some insects decide to pollinate its seeds from some other part of the area and drop it on a wet meadow. Seeding the cordgrass with other warm-season grasses adds to enrich its environment and provides support for cover and nature mysteriously makes this possible. In about two weeks the seed emerges and gives life to a new plant.
The feasting ground begins to rejuvenate, and the prairie grass makes it appearance clearly by developing paired spikelets made up of tan-colored seed heads and leaf blades sharper-looking than a two-edged saw. Whoever sets foot on its territory must be cautious in dealing with it. The margins of its blade raise their guard against encroachers or anyone walking through it, and at any time of the interaction it is ready to cut through skin. That is what the ‘real world’ looks like, right? You wake up, go out in search for what you need to survive while guarding against competitors and predators. The prairie cordgrass has already grabbed a hold of this concept and is ready to protect its space and survival against intruders with its defense mechanism.
In a year or two the grass attains a height within the ranges of 5-10 feet and establishes its unique identity in the world. Its floral spikes are 2 to 6 inches long and each contain 25 narrow spikelets that are held together on one side of its secondary stalk, the rachilla. Its root system is fibrous and very rhizome-like. In all, its robust nature is a way of saying it is ready to deal with whatever comes its way be it the cold, warmth, sunshine, rain, or the wind.
In the non-exact words of Alexander Darwin; competition, survival, and reproduction are key to being naturally selected, and in order to do so there has to be evolution and adaptation. The Prairie Cordgrass has evolved spectacularly to adapt to nature’s dispositions. Adaptation is a key trait that determines the longevity of any group of species that inhabit the world. Darwin would certainly be fond of the Prairie Cordgrass. How does it do it? The grass is able to thrive in soils that would be considered unfavorable; rocky, sandy, and poorly drained. All it needs is a little bit of water moisture and survival is not a problem.
Optimal growth for the Prairie cordgrass is during the warm season but an extremity of warmth and heat pose a challenge. However, the Cordgrass is able to withstand hot weather conditions because it practices C4 photosynthesis. It effectively manages opening and closing of its stomata and thus very able to prevent unnecessary water loss.
Rather than take away from nature, the prairie cordgrass adds value in so many forms to the diverse aspect of it. The prairie cordgrass provides a good refuge or cover for game birds and small mammals to not be seen by their predators. A prime example of a species looking out for the wellbeing of another species very different from itself even though it does not have to.
The Prairie cordgrass has a rhizome system that engages in symbiosis with mycorrhizae fungi. In as much as this species of grass has an extensive physiological system and could possibly get by on its own, it is in a partnership with the mycorrhizae fungi which aids in helping it obtain the necessary nutrients for growth and development. This partnership I think is something that speaks volumes and shows the importance of engaging in non-exploitative partnerships with other people on a human level and also with other species on a bigger scale in the ecosystem.
Boundaries, Inhibitions, and limitations are life rules some species do not abide by and the prairie cordgrass is certainly one of them. You try growing a plant in a chamber pot and as it blooms, signs of cracks on the pot become more and more visible. It is not about impeding on a space that is not yours or staying in your lane and never needing to know what the other lanes feel like. For a lack of an exact percentage, I would just say, most humans accept limitations thrown on them by the rubric of society and fail to explore the vast amount of experiences and opportunities that exist outside of a pre-defined space.
Whether it be in a relationship, a job we like that is far away from the hometown we grew up in, a college education on the other side of the country, or sacrificing a comfort zone lifestyle to set up a profitable business, we never know what the outcome is till we branch out. Spartina pectina formally known as the Prairie Cordgrass commands a different perspective and approach through its non-human lens.
The prairie cordgrass can thrive outside of its comfort zone because of its ability to expand and grow beyond its limits. Its root system is so extensive and that enables it to thrive in unfavorable soils. Also, because of the division of its rhizomes, the grass is able to establish new plants. This trait of the Prairie cordgrass is one to be admired and emulated from.
It is the ending of August and the flying Canadian goose decides to make its trip back to the wet-meadow feasting ground. This time around it brings along a couple bird mates and managed to convince them how good of a time it can be if the conditions are favorable. The goose is the leader of its pack and it leads the charge in the air as its flock follow suit in a ‘v’ pattern. So much enthusiasm and zeal are embodied in this voyage as they navigate through the cool air breeze. As they descend its quite blurry what the scene holds in store, but the flock are optimistic.
The goose makes it landing at last and Its favorite delicacy is looking succulent and well blossomed. However, in sight are other visitors scoping the scene and making merry on what seems to be a delicacy as well. The black duck and mallard flock pose as an interference to the goose’s agenda however it is not a competitive one. The scenario is like two guests at a party that are feasting on two different things; there certainly is enough for everybody at that point.
The duck and mallard are spotted eating the seed heads of the cordgrass but that is the least favorite of the geese. The rootstocks are its crème de la crème and as long as the rootstocks go untouched, paths between both species will not be crossed. The geese make themselves at home and feed on the rootstocks till their appetite is quenched. Even though they outnumber their counterparts, the geese spread apart and communicate to each other with their mysterious chirps and squeaks. Staying on guard is crucial in the wild and at any given moment the switch goes off and you are at the mercy of your predator. As the dawn of the day approaches, it is time to pay farewell and head back home. The geese gather in formation and in royal fashion depart to return whenever the cordgrass blossoms again the coming year.
It is said plants go to sleep, but do we know when they wake up? For some, it is when the sun rises, and for others it can be hours and even seasons later. The Cordgrass gracefully checks out with the winter season approaching and looks forward to making its appearance when the warmth comes around again. It needs no announcement when it blossoms again because the grass is always greener on the other side but only if it is the Prairie cordgrass on the other side. Hopefully, this time around the flying goose does not miss out but appears just in time for its yearly feast.
WORKS CITED
https://plants.usda.gov/factsheet/pdf/fs_sppe.pdf
https://www.mortonarb.org/trees-plants/tree-plant-descriptions/prairie-cord-grass
https://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/grasses/plants/pr_cordgrass.htm
https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/grass-sedge-rush/prairie-cordgrass