For successful seedlings,
see the growing notes at the bottom of the page!

Ticklegrass (Agrostis scabra), also called rough bentgrass, is a fine, slender grass forming loose tufts 50 to 100 cm tall. Its smooth, thin, upright stems bear narrow leaves that are flat or slightly rolled, with a bluish-green colour. The inflorescences take the form of a delicate, airy panicle that is first compact, then widely spreading at maturity, giving a silvery, feathery appearance when dry. This grass is notable for its ability to colonize poor, gravelly, or sandy sites, and areas exposed to extreme freeze–thaw cycles. It is often found along shores, roadsides, riverbanks, forest clearings, and disturbed soils. In Quebec, it grows in open habitats ranging from moist to dry. It tolerates acidic soils and can thrive in substrates lacking organic matter, making it an effective pioneer species in bare or recently disturbed environments.

Sociability index: 3 to 4 → Indicates the plant’s behaviour in space and its interactions with other plants.

Ecological roles
Ticklegrass plays an important role in soil stabilization. Its fibrous, shallow root system helps anchor sandy or gravelly substrates, limiting erosion on slopes and along riverbanks. As a pioneer species, it contributes to the rapid recolonization of disturbed sites and to the formation of an initial vegetative cover that facilitates the establishment of other herbaceous and woody plants. Its panicles provide shelter and nesting material for small invertebrates and some shorebirds. The small seeds are eaten by a few granivorous birds, and ticklegrass also offers refuge for soil insects and microorganisms associated with the rhizosphere of open habitats.

Ticklegrass seeds require cold stratification to ensure germination. See the cultivation notes below for more details.

Akène cannot assume any responsibility for the use of plants for therapeutic purposes. Always seek advice from a professional before using a medicinal or edible plant.