| Helictotrichon | |
|---|---|
| | |
| Helictotrichon sempervirens | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Poaceae |
| Subfamily: | Pooideae |
| Supertribe: | Poodae |
| Tribe: | Poeae |
| Subtribe: | Aveninae |
| Genus: | Helictotrichon Besser |
| Type species | |
| Helictotrichon sempervirens | |
| Synonyms [1] | |
| |
Helictotrichon, or alpine oatgrass, [2] is a genus of perennial flowering plants in the grass family. [3] [4] [5] [6] The genus name comes from the Greek heliktos meaning twisted, and trichos meaning hair, referring to the shape of the awn. [7]
Most of the species are native to Africa and Eurasia with a few species in North America. Helictotrichon sempervirens is widely cultivated as an ornamental. [8] [9] [10]
Many species once considered part of Helictotrichon are now regarded as better suited to other genera. A large number are now in Helictochloa with smaller numbers of species in Amphibromus, Arrhenatherum, Avenula, Danthoniastrum, Duthiea, Tricholemma , and Trisetum .