Orchard Grass (Dactylis glomerata, Knaulgras) is very vigorous and competitive, especially on fertile or moderately moist soils. In species-rich meadows, it can displace flowering herbs and other grasses if land use is too intensive (frequent mowing, fertilization). As a wind-pollinated grass, Knaulgras produces no nectar and little accessible pollen – it has almost no value for pollinating insects.
Dominance of Knaulgras often indicates nutrient-rich, intensively managed grasslands – areas typically with low biodiversity.
Knaulgras is a protein-rich, robust forage grass that is well accepted by grazing animals.

Blurred in the background, violet-blue and white blossoms of Common Columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris, Gemeine Akelei) add splashes of color, while the pale, balloon-like calyces of Bladder Campion (Silene vulgaris, Taubenkropf-Leimkraut) lend a delicate touch.
To the right, the furrowed bark of an Elder Tree (Sambucus nigra, Schwarzer Holunder) provides vertical structure, and further back on the left a dry stone wall is hit by some sunlight.

#orchardgrass #dactylis #glomerata #green #grass #flowers