Image: Wiki Commons via Gentry George, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
About This Quiz
Lush green grass makes for a beautiful lawn, but there's no much more to grass than what you see in your backyard. For instance, did you know that diet staples like wheat, oats, rice, millet and even corn are part of the grass family? Another surprising grass is bamboo, which is used to make everything from furniture to flooring.
Yet as much time as you spend feeling the grass tickle your toes in your backyard or at your favorite park, using it to fuel your car after it's transformed into ethanol, eating it in the form of roasted corn or wheat bread, striding across a bamboo floor or using bamboo utensils, have you ever stopped to think about what these grasses look like, or how different they really look?
All grasses belong to the Poaceae family, which includes a whopping 12,000 different species. All of these plants share a few things in common -- namely hollow stems and narrow, alternating leaves, but they also have many key differences. Think you can tell one of these grasses from another using only a single image? Take our quiz to find out!
Wiki Commons via Eurico Zimbres
Choose the name of the grass you see in this picture.
wheat
bamboo
pampas grass
Pampas grass is native to South America. It grows very tall, as much as 10 feet, and has leaves that range from silvery-green to blue-green.
maize
Wiki Commons via State Library and Archives of Florida
What type of grass is this?
bahia
Bahia is a tufted turf grass that grows well throughout the southeastern United States. Known for its rough texture and super durability, it's often planted in areas exposed to a lot of foot traffic, where other types of grass would likely fail.
oat
rice
Bermuda
Wiki Commons via DUK
Can you name this grass?
rice
millet
wheat
Believe it or not, wheat is a type of grass. Cultivated for its seeds, the cereal grains produced by wheat are a staple of diets around the world. Wheat is not only one of the most widely-grown food crops, but also one of the most widely traded.
maize
Advertisement
Wiki Commons via Rasbak
What is this grass called?
lemongrass
fountaingrass
rice
bluegrass
Bluegrass gets its name from its alluring blue-green hue. Dense and lush, this grass grows well in cool, sunny areas, but has higher maintenance requirements than many other types of grass.
Wiki Commons via Richard Arthur Norton
Can you recall the common name of this grass?
hard fescue
maize
crabgrass
Crabgrass is seen as a weed in many parts of the U.S., but actually offers a lot of surprise benefits. This grass, which can grow in poor drainage areas, contains seeds that can be ground into flour -- which is then used in cooking or beer production.
millet
Wiki Commons via Gentry George, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Think you can identify this fast-growing grass?
bamboo
Yes, the stalks of bamboo that giant pandas like to munch on are a type of grass. One of the fastest growing plants in the world, some bamboo species look more like trees than grass, and make up the largest members of the grass family.
phleum
Bermuda
millet
Advertisement
Wiki Commons via Anne Pratt
Know what this common lawn grass is called?
fine fescue
Fine fescue is a grass with very fine texture, and the individual blades are thin and needled. This grass can put up with drought and high temperatures, but doesn't grow well in shady spots.
lemongrass
wheat
maize
Wiki Commons via Georgialh
Can you name this grain?
crabgrass
oat
The seed of oat grass is used as a cereal and livestock feed around the world. You can recognize this grass by its leaves, which are wider than many other grains, and tend to be smooth overall yet rough along the tip.
cogon grass
rice
Wiki Commons via Alan Manson
Can you recall the common name of this grass?
ryegrass
Ryegrass -- not to be confused with the grain rye -- is an extremely fast-growing grass that grows best in cooler climates. It tends to be shinier than many other grasses, making it easy to identify.
maize
phleum
lemongrass
Advertisement
Wiki Commons via Hillebrand Steve, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Any idea what this grass is called?
hard fescue
rice
lemongrass
sorghum
Sorghum grass thrives in the dog days of summer, and stands up strong in direct sunlight. This fast-growing grass is sometimes used to revive or restore compacted or damaged farmland.
Wiki Commons via SonoranDesertNPS
Select the correct name for this grass.
centipede
fountaingrass
Fountaingrass is a perennial ornamental grass that grows in a rounded shape, like water spraying from a fountain. Though it can be invasive in some areas, some gardeners enjoy it for its colorful flowers, which range from white to pink or even red.
bluegrass
Bermuda
Wiki Commons via David-Pierre Mangiapan
Can you identify this grass from a single image?
zoysia
Zoysia is found throughout the central U.S. and mid-Atlantic coast. It's a very slow-growing grass that forms a prickly lawn thanks to its stiff blades.
oat
maize
scutch grass
Advertisement
Wiki Commons via Stefan.lefnaer
Think you can identify this grass?
lemongrass
wheat
Bermuda
Bermuda grass is an aggressive-growing grass that can withstand drought, weeds and even heavy foot traffic. It is such a strong grower that it can invade flower beds and become a pest if not properly managed.
phleum
Wiki Commons via Lowe 48
Know what this grass is called?
rye
wheat
millet
maize
Yes, if you look at maize from a botanist's point of view, this plant is actually a type of grass. It grows up to 10 feet high, providing us with ears of corn for food, livestock feed and ethanol production.
Wiki Commons via David J. Stang
What type of grass is this?
cogon grass
St. Augustine
St. Augustine is a turf grass that grows well in warmer areas, particularly those with sandy soil. This grass has an attractive blue-green hue, similar to bluegrass.
maize
bluegrass
Advertisement
Wiki Commons via Forest and Kim Starr
Choose the correct name for the grass shown in this image.
centipede
Centipede grass is a landscaping favorite because it's extremely easy to care for. Though it has a relatively rough texture, it's found in many lawns because it can handle almost any soil conditions, and is also resistant to many weeds and pests.
crabgrass
bahia
Bermuda
Wiki Commons via 3268zauber
Can you name this grain?
phleum
bluegrass
barley
The seed of barley grass is a popular cereal grain. Not only is in consumed as a food staple on its own, but it's also used as animal feed and as part of the beer production process.
lemongrass
Wiki Commons via Arthur Chapman
Know the name of this food grain?
hard fescue
lemongrass
bahia
rye
Not to be confused with ryegrass, rye us a cereal plant, similar to wheat. Because rye is tolerant of soil imperfections and temperature swings, it is often grown as a cover crop.
Advertisement
Wiki Commons via W.W. Barnard & Co; Henry G. Gilbert Nursery and Seed Trade Catalog Collection
Can you correctly identify this grass?
bluegrass
bamboo
hard fescue
chewings fescue
Chewings fescue is an aggressive-growing grass that sprouts up in tufts or bunches. It can handle cool temperatures and doesn't suffer in the shade, so it is often used to crowd out weeds.
Wiki Commons via David Hawgood
Know the name of this food grain?
cogon grass
bamboo
millet
Millet is a grass used as both a food grain and an ornamental plant. It thrives in semi-arid conditions, and some hybrid varieties are known for their vibrant purple hue.
lemongrass
Wiki Commons via Doug Goldman. USDA-NRCS-NPDT
Remember the name of this grass?
panicgrass
Panicgrass is a genus of grasses that includes more than 450 species. Mostly found in tropical regions, these grasses can range from just a few feet to nearly 10 feet tall.
crabgrass
Bermuda
rice
Advertisement
Wiki Commons via Manojk
What do you think this grass is called?
lemongrass
scutch grass
Scutch grass, also known as dog grass or wild rye, is an extremely fast-growing type of grass officially named elymus repens. It grows so quickly that it's often seen as a weed, and is considered an invasive species in some areas.
oat
bluegrass
Wiki Commons via Mokkie
What is the name of this grass, which is popular in Thai cuisine?
lemongrass
Lemongrass is a tropical herb that lends a flavor of citrus when used in cooking. It can grow up to 6 feet tall​ and may be used in the production of citronella oil.
phleum
bluegrass
bahia
Wiki Commons via treesftf
Name this grass.
fountaingrass
cogon grass
bluegrass
vetiver
Vetiver is a perennial grass that grows in bunches or tufts. Native to India, it's prized for its brownish-purple flowers, as well as for its ability to stabilize soil and reduce the impact of erosion.
Advertisement
Wiki Commons via Tauʻolunga
Can you correctly identify this grass?
crabgrass
Indian goosegrass
Indian goosegrass is a close relative of the grain-producing grass millet. Found in warmer areas, it grows best when exposed to frequent sunshine, and is a popular option for lawns and golf courses.
bluegrass
centipede
Wiki Commons via H. Zell
Choose the name of the grass you see in this picture.
Timothy grass
Timothy grass, also known as the common cat's tail, is a perennial grass that grows up to 6 feet tall. It is a slow-grower and known for its ability to survive in cold temperatures, during drought, ​and in poor soil conditions.
lemongrass
bamboo
Bermuda
Wiki Commons via Sam Droege from Beltsville, USA
Name this grass.
rice
maize
phleum
crowngrass
Crowngrass is a genus that includes many different ornamental bunchgrasses. Found all over the U.S. and in tropical and subtropical regions around the world, crowngrass grows best in well-drained soil, but is remarkably drought tolerant.
Advertisement
Wiki Commons via Javier Martin
Select the correct name for this grass.
bahia
fountaingrass
creeping red fescue
Creeping red fescue is a turf grass that is popular in cooler areas. It's easy to grow and survives shady conditions better than many other grasses. This plant is known for its fine blades and medium to deep green color.
bluegrass
Wiki Commons via SriMesh
Pick the right name of this grass.
hard fescue
bromus
Bromus is a genus of more than 100 different species of ornamental grasses. Native to Eurasia, bromus can grow between 8 and 25 inches tall depending on the species and growing conditions.
bahia
Indian goosegrass
Wiki Commons via John Tann
Choose the correct name for the grass shown in this image.
common couch
Common couch is a perennial grass native to Europe, Asia and parts of Africa. This fast-grower is essentially a weed, but its persistence makes it a popular choice for areas in need of erosion control or soil stabilization.
bamboo
cogon grass
bluegrass
Advertisement
Wiki Commons via David Stang
What do you think this grass is called?
Bermuda
napier grass
Napier grass, also known as elephant grass, is found primarily in Africa. It's a fast-grower and a popular feed crop. This grass can grow almost anywhere, regardless of soil conditions, and can tolerate a wild range of moisture levels and drought.
centipede
maize
Wiki Commons via Rajeshbhusal
What is this grass called?
hard fescue
lemongrass
rice
Rice is a type of grass that belongs to the genus oryza. The grain of this grass accounts for around 20 percent of all calories consumed around the world. Rice is primarily grown in flooded fields, though it can actually be grown in a wide variety of conditions.
bluegrass
Wiki Commons via Stanislav Doronenko
Remember the name of this grass?
bamboo
oat
rice
needlegrass
Needlegrass includes around 100 different species of bunchgrasses found throughout North and South America. Also known as feathergrass, this plant has very fine, sharp leaves.
Advertisement
Wiki Commons via Forest and Kim Starr
Know what this common lawn grass is called?
cogon grass
tall fescue
Tall fescue is so tough that it's often used on athletic fields and other areas subject to plenty of wear and tear. This grass requires a lot of maintenance to make it look good. Without plenty of attention, it can grow in uneven bunches and look like a weed.
bluegrass
maize
Wiki Commons via Keisotyo
Can you identify this grass from a single image?
bahia
hard fescue
cogon grass
Cogon grass is native to Asia and Africa. Also known as bloodgrass or cotton woolgrass, it's used as an ornamental plant, and some cultures use it to make traditional thatched roofing.
Bermuda
Wiki Commons via Rasbak
Any idea what this grass is called?
maize
bentgrass
Bentgrass is popular with golf course landscapers throughout the northern U.S. While durable and attractive, it requires plenty of watering and care to keep pests and diseases at bay.
bluegrass
bahia
Advertisement
Wiki Commons via Janke
Know what this grass is called?
common reed
Common reed grows best in wetlands. This large perennial grass includes four different species, which are typically found in temperate and tropical climate zones throughout the world.
millet
wheat
lemongrass
Wiki Commons via Dr. David Gealy, USDA ARS
Think you can identify this grass?
maize
Indian goosegrass
rice
oryza
Oryza is a genus that includes more than 300 grass species, including rice. It can range in height from 3 to 6 feet and is often associated with wetland areas.
Wiki Commons via Kristian Peters
Can you name this grass?
hard fescue
Hard fescue, also known as sheep's fescue produces greyish-green prickly leaves. It is very dense, and has the ability to grow almost anywhere -- even in very acidic or contaminated soil.
bamboo
bluegrass
fountaingrass
Advertisement
You Got:
/40
Wiki Commons via Gentry George, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service