Sword grass is a name used for some species of
grassesPoaceae or Gramineae is a family in the Class Liliopsida of the flowering plants. Plants of this family are usually called grasses, or, to distinguish them from other graminoids, true grasses; the shrub- or tree-like plants in this family are called bamboo...
with blades that are sharp enough to cut human skin. This is because they contain many silica
phytolithA phytolith is a rigid microscopic body that occurs in many plants. The most common type of phytolith is the silica phytolith, also called opal phytolith. Silica phytoliths vary in size and shape depending on the plant taxon and plant part in which they occur...
s, 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 is a name used for some species of
grassesPoaceae or Gramineae is a family in the Class Liliopsida of the flowering plants. Plants of this family are usually called grasses, or, to distinguish them from other graminoids, true grasses; the shrub- or tree-like plants in this family are called bamboo...
with blades that are sharp enough to cut human skin. This is because they contain many silica
phytolithA phytolith is a rigid microscopic body that occurs in many plants. The most common type of phytolith is the silica phytolith, also called opal phytolith. Silica phytoliths vary in size and shape depending on the plant taxon and plant part in which they occur...
s, a hardening material in many plants. The sharp blades help to discourage herbivores from grazing, protecting the grasses around it as well.