Sword grass

Sword grass

Sword grass is a name used for some species of grasses with blades that are sharp enough to cut human skin. This is because they contain many silica phytoliths, a hardening material in many plants. The sharp blades help to discourage herbivores from grazing, protecting the grasses around it as well.


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  • Sword grass — Sword Sword (s[=o]rd), n. [OE. swerd, AS. sweord; akin to OFries. swerd, swird, D. zwaard, OS. swerd, OHG. swert, G. schwert, Icel. sver[eth], Sw. sv[ a]rd, Dan. sv[ae]rd; of uncertain origin.] 1. An offensive weapon, having a long and usually… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • sword grass — n. any of a number of sedges or grasses with toothed or sword shaped leaves …   English World dictionary

  • sword grass — sword′ grass n. pln any of various grasses or sedges that have swordlike or sharp leaves • Etymology: 1590–1600 …   From formal English to slang

  • sword grass — noun any of various grasses or sedges having sword shaped leaves with sharp edges • Hypernyms: ↑grass * * * noun 1. : any of various grasses or sedges having leaves with a sharp or toothed edge: as a. Australia …   Useful english dictionary

  • sword grass — /ˈsɔd gras/ (say sawd grahs) noun any of various grasses or plants with sword like or sharp leaves capable of cutting flesh, as the sword lily …  

  • sword grass — any of various grasses or plants having swordlike or sharp leaves, as the sword lily. [1590 1600] * * * …   Universalium

  • sword grass — noun Date: 1598 any of various grasses or sedges having leaves with a sharp or toothed edge …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • sword-grass — n. Glader, sedge …   New dictionary of synonyms

  • sword-grass — …   Useful english dictionary

  • Dark Sword-grass — Scientific classification Kingdom …   Wikipedia

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