Poaceae

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Poaceae ( poh-AY-see-e(y)e), also called Gramineae ( grə-MIN-ee-e(y)e), is a large and nearly ubiquitous family of monocotyledonous flowering plants commonly known as true grasses. It includes the cereal grasses, bamboos, the grasses of natural grassland and species cultivated in lawns and pasture. Poaceae is the most well-known family within the informal group known as grass. With around 780 genera and around 12,000 species, the Poaceae is the fifth-largest plant family, following the Asteraceae, Orchidaceae, Fabaceae and Rubiaceae. The Poaceae are the most economically important plant family, including staple foods from domesticated cereal crops such as maize, wheat, rice, oats, barley, and millet for people and as feed for meat-producing animals. They provide, through direct human consumption, a substantial portion of all dietary energy: rice provides 20%, wheat supplies 19%, and maize (corn) 5%. Some members of the Poaceae are used as building materials (bamboo, thatch, and straw);...

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