bunch grass

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. n. Any of various grasses in many different genera that grow in clumplike fashion rather than forming a sod or mat.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. A name given to many different grasses of the Rocky Mountain region and westward, usually growing in distinct clumps. The more abundant are Poa tenuifolia, Oryzopsis cuspidata, Festuca scabrella, and species of Stipa and Agropyrum.
2. n. In general, any grass which grows in scattered tufts or bunches as distinguished from one which forms a continuous sod.

GNU Webster's 1913

1. (Bot.) A grass growing in bunches and affording pasture. In California, Atropis tenuifolia, Festuca scabrella, and several kinds of Stipa are favorite bunch grasses. In Utah, Eriocoma cuspidata is a good bunch grass.

WordNet 3.0

1. n. any of various grasses of many genera that grow in tufts or clumps rather than forming a sod or mat; chiefly of western United States
2. n. any of various grasses of many genera that grow in tufts or clumps rather than forming a sod or mat; chiefly of western United States