Catapodium is a small genus of annual grasses belonging to the family Poaceae (order Poales). It is native to Eurasia and North Africa, with its core range extending from Ireland and the Canary Islands eastward to Turkey, Iran, and the Arabian Peninsula. Two additional species are endemic to Morocco.
The genus currently comprises four accepted species. Catapodium rigidum (fern grass or rigid fern-grass) and Catapodium marinum (sea fern-grass) are the most widespread members, both occurring widely across Europe and into western Asia and North Africa. Several taxa formerly placed in Catapodium have been reassigned to related genera including Festuca, Vulpia, Desmazeria, Cutandia, and others, reflecting a history of reclassification within the Pooideae subfamily.
Distribution
Catapodium is native to Eurasia and North Africa. C. rigidum and C. marinum range from Ireland and the Canary Islands east to Turkey, Iran, and the Arabian Peninsula, while C. demnatense and C. mamoraeum are restricted to Morocco.
Taxonomy Notes
Several genera and species have been moved into or out of Catapodium over time. Taxa formerly included are now placed in Aeluropus, Agropyropsis, Castellia, Catabrosa, Cutandia, Desmazeria, Eragrostiella, Festuca, Micropyrum, Tripogon, Vulpia, and Wangenheimia, reflecting ongoing revision of tribe Poeae. GBIF recognises the genus as accepted within Poaceae (order Poales), with 3 accepted descendants.
