vs Common Silver Hairgrass

Chroococcus turgidus compared with Aira caryophyllea

Key Differences

is Not Evaluated while Common Silver Hairgrass is Endangered.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank		Common Silver Hairgrass
Kingdom	Bacteria (Bacteria)	Plantae (Plants)
Phylum	Cyanobacteria (Cyanobacteria)	Magnoliophyta (Flowering Plants)
Class	Cyanobacteriia	Liliopsida (Monocots)
Order	Cyanobacteriales	Poales (Grasses)
Family	Microcystaceae	Poaceae (Grass Family)
Genus	Chroococcus	Aira
Species	Chroococcus turgidus	Aira caryophyllea

Conservation Status

NE — Not Evaluated

Common Silver Hairgrass

EN — Endangered

Physical Characteristics

Attribute		Common Silver Hairgrass
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Habitat

Native to Asia and Europe, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Distributed across Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Taiwan.

Common Silver Hairgrass

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, tropical and subtropical grasslands and savannas, and flooded grasslands and savannas, among 11 distinct biome types. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Widely distributed across Africa (Cameroon), Asia (Japan, South Korea), Europe (6 countries), North America (4 countries), Oceania and the Pacific (Australia), and South America (4 countries). Currently classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Chroococcus turgidus is a relatively large-celled species of cyanobacteria in the family Chroococcaceae, one of the more frequently cited and widely distributed members of the genus. Its specific epithet turgidus refers to the swollen or turgid appearance of its cells, which are notably rounded and plump. Chroococcus turgidus has been documented from freshwater habitats across a wide geographic range including Europe, North America, Asia, and other regions, reflecting its cosmopolitan distribution. The cells occur in pairs or groups of two to four within a stratified, often amber-brown gelatinous sheath. It is found in the plankton and periphyton of standing and slowly flowing freshwater bodies, on damp soils, and on submerged rocks and other surfaces. Chroococcus turgidus is one of the type or reference species frequently illustrated in classical treatises on freshwater algae and cyanobacteria. Its relatively large cell size compared to other Chroococcus species facilitates identification in microscopic preparations. The species contributes to primary production in freshwater ecosystems and is part of the diverse community of cyanobacteria that inhabit lentic and lotic freshwater environments. It has not been assessed by the IUCN.

Common Silver Hairgrass

<em>Aira caryophyllea</em>, commonly known as Common Silver Hairgrass, is a slender annual grass belonging to the family Poaceae within the order Poales. This delicate grass is currently classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, reflecting significant conservation concern despite its historically broad distribution. It is typically found across a remarkable diversity of biome types, including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, grasslands, savannas, and flooded habitats, demonstrating notable ecological versatility. Its geographic range spans multiple continents, with documented populations in Africa (Cameroon), Asia (Japan, South Korea), Europe, North America, Australia, and South America. As an annual grass, it completes its life cycle within a single growing season, reproducing via wind-dispersed seeds. The inflorescence typically bears silvery, shimmering spikelets that give the species its common name. Biological traits such as average lifespan, body dimensions, and dietary specifics follow typical patterns for annual grasses — drawing nutrients from soil through root absorption rather than consuming other organisms. The endangered status suggests populations may be declining due to habitat loss, land-use change, or invasive species pressure across parts of its range.