The understated champion of challenging landscapes, Tickle grass or Rough Hairgrass (Agrostis scabra)! This seemingly modest perennial bunchgrass, typically reaching heights between 15 and 99 cm (6 – 38 inches), possesses an extraordinary tenacity. This plant is so adaptable it thrives in the thin air of high altitudes, even soaring to 3,658 meters (12,000 feet) in the Canadian Rockies. Its delicate-looking leaves, though covered in minute hairs, belie a robust nature, and the unique wind-dispersed seed heads showcase a clever evolutionary strategy. But the true marvel lies in its resilience: Rough Hairgrass bravely colonizes disturbed alpine terrains, offering a natural solution for revegetation where others falter.
What truly sets Agrostis scabra apart is its unwavering spirit in the face of adversity. This isn't a fussy plant; it's a pioneer, readily establishing itself in the harsh realities of abandoned coal mines and even tolerating soils laced with sulfur, copper, and nickel – conditions that would deter most other life. Remarkably, fire, often seen as destructive, invigorates its growth, showcasing its inherent ability to not just survive, but flourish. Even its role in the ecosystem is noteworthy, providing a valuable food source for grazing animals before its delicate flowers appear later in the season, and continuing to offer sustenance even after. Rough Hairgrass is a testament to the quiet strength and vital ecological contributions found in even the most unassuming of plants.
Ticklegrass, or Rough Hairgrass (Agrostis scabra), stands as a vital ally in the natural reforestation of landscapes scarred by fire, pollution, or human impact. Its remarkable adaptability allows it to colonize these challenging environments where many other species struggle to establish. As a pioneer species, it begins the crucial process of soil stabilization with its fine root system, preventing further erosion on denuded slopes. Its tolerance for nutrient-poor and even contaminated soils, including those polluted by heavy metals or altered by mining activities, makes it uniquely suited to initiate ecological recovery. By establishing a living ground cover, Agrostis scabra creates microclimates that can eventually support the germination and growth of other native plants, paving the way for a more diverse and resilient ecosystem to return to the damaged area. Its ability to thrive in harsh conditions and prepare the ground for succession makes it an indispensable first step in nature's healing process.

Distributions –
prairie; foothills; mountains; wetlands; forest

Light –
full-sun to part shade

Bloom Period –
Late summer

Height –
15- 99 cm
6- 38 IN

Habitat –
Throughout nearly all terrains of Southern Alberta.