Grass

plants · food crops · nature

Five super crops. Just five types of grass, rice, wheat, maize, barley, and sugar cane, cover almost half of all the farmland in the world. These grasses feed more people than almost any other plants on the planet.

Three grass families. The true grasses, sedges, and rushes are all different families of grasslike plants. True grasses (called Poaceae) are what you see in lawns and fields, while sedges and rushes have their own special features.

Covers the Earth. Grass grows on every continent and in almost every climate, from rainforests to deserts. It's one of the most successful plant families ever.

Food for animals. Cows, sheep, and countless wild animals eat grass every single day. Without grass, many animals would have nowhere to find food.

Holds soil together. Grass roots dig deep into the ground and prevent soil from washing away during rain. This makes grass super important for protecting our landscapes.