Forb

A forb or phorb is a herbaceous flowering plant that is not a graminoid (grass, sedge, or rush). The term is used in botany and in vegetation ecology especially in relation to grasslands^[1] and understory.^[2] Typically, these are eudicots without woody stems.

Etymology

The word forb is derived from Greek phorbḗ (φορβή) 'pasture; fodder'.^[3]^[4] The Hellenic spelling phorb is sometimes used. In older usage, this sometimes includes graminids and other plants currently not regarded as forbs.

Guilds

Forbs are members of a guild—a group of plant species with broadly similar growth forms.^[5] In certain contexts in ecology, guild membership may often be more important than the taxonomic relationships between organisms.

Milkweed (Asclepias)

In informal classification

In addition to its use in ecology, the term "forb" may be used for subdividing popular guides to wildflowers,^[6] distinguishing them from other categories such as grasses, sedges, shrubs, and trees.^[7] Some examples of forbs are clovers, sunflowers, daylilies, and milkweed.

Forb Adaptation Zones: Kale and turnip are examples of forb adaptations distributed over much of Europe, southern Oceania, northern Asia, and northern North America. In cooler climates, these crops are grown year-round, while in warmer climates, they are used as winter forage.

Examples

Helianthus annuus (sunflower)^[8]
Raphanus sativus (radish)^[9]
Taraxacum officinale (dandelion)^[10]
Valeriana officinalis (valerian)^[11]

References

^ Schröder, Hans (2009). Grasslands: Ecology, Management and Restoration. Commack, N.Y: Nova Science Publishers. ISBN 978-1-60692-024-4.
^ "Native Understory Forbs and Grasses". www.nrcs.usda.gov. Archived from the original on 2022-03-08. Retrieved 2021-05-02.
^ Jaeger, Edmund C. (1959). A source-book of biological names and terms. Springfield, Ill: Thomas. ISBN 0-398-06179-3. {{cite book}}: ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)
^ Scott, Robert Pickett; Henry, George (2007). Liddell and Scott's Greek-English Lexicon, Abridged: Original Edition, republished in larger and clearer typeface. Simon Wallenburg Press. ISBN 978-1-84356-026-5.
^ Roxburgh, Stephen (1994). "A Demonstration of Guild Based Assembly Rules for a Plant Community and Determination of Intrinsic Guilds". Oikos. 69 (2): 267–276. Bibcode:1994Oikos..69..267W. doi:10.2307/3546147. JSTOR 3546147.
^ "Wildflower seeds and forbs". graniteseed.com. Retrieved 2021-05-02.
^ "Describe the major differences between the plant families used as forages". Forage Information System. 2009-05-28. Retrieved 2021-05-02.
^ "USDA Plants Database". plants.usda.gov. Retrieved 2025-11-04.
^ Kohler, Florian; Verhulst, Jort; Van Klink, Roel; Kleijn, David (2008). "At what spatial scale do high-quality habitats enhance the diversity of forbs and pollinators in intensively farmed landscapes?". Journal of Applied Ecology. 45 (3): 753–762. Bibcode:2008JApEc..45..753K. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2664.2007.01394.x. ISSN 1365-2664.
^ "Taraxacum officinale". www.fs.usda.gov. Retrieved 2025-11-04.
^ Scharfy, Deborah; Funk, Andrea; Olde Venterink, Harry; Güsewell, Sabine (2011). "Invasive forbs differ functionally from native graminoids, but are similar to native forbs". New Phytologist. 189 (3): 818–828. Bibcode:2011NewPh.189..818S. doi:10.1111/j.1469-8137.2010.03531.x. ISSN 1469-8137. PMID 21087259.

External links

United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service link to Growth habits Codes and Definitions.

[isbn1-60692-024-3-1] Schröder, Hans (2009). Grasslands: Ecology, Management and Restoration. Commack, N.Y: Nova Science Publishers. ISBN 978-1-60692-024-4.

[2] "Native Understory Forbs and Grasses". www.nrcs.usda.gov. Archived from the original on 2022-03-08. Retrieved 2021-05-02.

[isbn0-398-06179-3-3] Jaeger, Edmund C. (1959). A source-book of biological names and terms. Springfield, Ill: Thomas. ISBN 0-398-06179-3. {{cite book}}: ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)

[isbn1-84356-026-7-4] Scott, Robert Pickett; Henry, George (2007). Liddell and Scott's Greek-English Lexicon, Abridged: Original Edition, republished in larger and clearer typeface. Simon Wallenburg Press. ISBN 978-1-84356-026-5.

[5] Roxburgh, Stephen (1994). "A Demonstration of Guild Based Assembly Rules for a Plant Community and Determination of Intrinsic Guilds". Oikos. 69 (2): 267–276. Bibcode:1994Oikos..69..267W. doi:10.2307/3546147. JSTOR 3546147.

[6] "Wildflower seeds and forbs". graniteseed.com. Retrieved 2021-05-02.

[7] "Describe the major differences between the plant families used as forages". Forage Information System. 2009-05-28. Retrieved 2021-05-02.

[8] "USDA Plants Database". plants.usda.gov. Retrieved 2025-11-04.

[9] Kohler, Florian; Verhulst, Jort; Van Klink, Roel; Kleijn, David (2008). "At what spatial scale do high-quality habitats enhance the diversity of forbs and pollinators in intensively farmed landscapes?". Journal of Applied Ecology. 45 (3): 753–762. Bibcode:2008JApEc..45..753K. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2664.2007.01394.x. ISSN 1365-2664.

[10] "Taraxacum officinale". www.fs.usda.gov. Retrieved 2025-11-04.

[11] Scharfy, Deborah; Funk, Andrea; Olde Venterink, Harry; Güsewell, Sabine (2011). "Invasive forbs differ functionally from native graminoids, but are similar to native forbs". New Phytologist. 189 (3): 818–828. Bibcode:2011NewPh.189..818S. doi:10.1111/j.1469-8137.2010.03531.x. ISSN 1469-8137. PMID 21087259.

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