The question of the most common grass in the world does not have a single, simple answer because the term “common” depends entirely on the context of measurement. All true grasses belong to the immense plant family Poaceae (Gramineae), which includes approximately 12,000 species across 780 genera. This family is the fifth-largest plant family globally, encompassing everything from towering bamboo to minute lawn weeds. Determining the most common requires considering three distinct categories: sheer cultivated volume for human consumption, geographical and ecological spread, and widespread use in managed landscapes. The most common grass differs depending on whether you analyze global production data, natural biome dominance, or typical backyard coverage.
Global Dominance of Cereal Crops
The most common grasses by sheer annual cultivated volume are the cereal crops, which form the energetic foundation of the human diet. These domesticated grasses are the most successful species on Earth in terms of biomass and acreage under human management. The “Big Three” cereal grains—rice, wheat, and maize (corn)—account for a substantial portion of the world’s dietary energy intake.
Rice (Oryza sativa) alone provides roughly 20% of the world’s caloric intake, making it the staple food for more than half the global population. Wheat (Triticum aestivum) follows closely, supplying about 19% of human dietary energy, and is cultivated across a wider range of climates than rice.
Maize (Zea mays) is produced in the greatest volume by weight, primarily because of its extensive use in livestock feed, ethanol production, and industrial applications, though it provides only about 5% of direct human energy globally. These three species occupy massive swaths of arable land worldwide, establishing them as the most common grasses by agricultural scale and production volume.
Widespread Native and Wild Grass Species
When considering ecological prevalence and natural distribution, a different set of grasses emerges, independent of human cultivation for food or lawns. Grasses are the dominant vegetation in biomes like the North American prairies, South American pampas, and African veld, collectively covering over 40% of the Earth’s land surface. Their success is due to adaptations like growing from the base of the leaf rather than the tip, which allows them to tolerate frequent grazing and fire. One globally ubiquitous species is the giant reed grass (Phragmites australis), which has one of the widest geographic ranges of any flowering plant, extending across a broad temperate band worldwide.
In terms of sheer adaptability and presence in disturbed areas, Poa annua, commonly known as annual bluegrass, is arguably the most common wild grass. This low-growing species has successfully colonized all seven continents, including the Sub-Antarctic islands, demonstrating incredible resilience. It thrives in compacted soils, produces prolific seed that germinates quickly, and adapts to various climates by developing both annual and short-lived perennial ecotypes. Its genetic plasticity allows it to adapt rapidly to different mowing heights and environmental pressures, making it a persistent dominator in virtually every human-modified landscape.
The Most Common Lawn and Turf Grasses
For the average person, the most common grasses are those encountered in managed landscapes like lawns, parks, and golf courses. This category is split into two primary groups based on optimal temperature requirements, meaning the most common species depends entirely on the climate zone. Cool-season grasses thrive in temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit and are prevalent in northern latitudes and temperate regions. Common cool-season types include Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis), valued for its rich color and ability to spread via underground stems (rhizomes), and fine fescues and perennial ryegrasses, often used in blends for durability.
Warm-season grasses prefer temperatures between 80 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit and dominate the southern and tropical regions. Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) is common due to its tolerance for heat, drought, and high foot traffic, making it suitable for athletic fields. St. Augustine grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum) and Zoysiagrass (Zoysia spp.) are also widely planted in warmer zones for their dense growth habit and shade tolerance. The selection of the most common turfgrass is a geographical decision, reflecting the climate where the grass is intentionally maintained.