Grass

[Ninereeds]

err, sounds weird and probably not possible at all, but could grass sort of... adapt? or evolve? because ive jus been mowing the lawn and i thought that if you mowed it like clockwork, every tuesday at 3 o clock every week for a year, would it eventually cut itself and sort of detatch th top half of the blade and then carry on doing that? im probably stupid and thinking balls again but i would like to know, thank you.

[TommyC]

You're stupid and thinking balls. :o)

[bernardo]

It would eventually, but only if there were a benefit or advantage in doing so. I reckon it probably manages to survive OK as it is anyway, so it might take a while for there to be any noticeable thingy.

[Ninereeds]

ye, the benefit of not being run over by a lawnmower everyweek. cheers Tommy

[wizard]

Chances are if it was to evolve, it would take longer then a year to do so!

[kags]

I agree with bernardo, the grass would evolve if there was a benefit in doing so - however this would probably take many thousands if not millions of years. I think it is unlikely that it would evolve in the way you suggested though ie just shed the top part of the blade. It is more likely to become much more slow growing in order that it doesn't get the the top part of the blade lopped off so regularly.

[smudge]

If you'e not keen on mowing, gravel it over & be done with it!

[trilobite]

One of the basic mis-conceptions of evolutionary theory is that by altering a plant/animal after it has seeded/been born, you can somehow influence its evolution.
This is like saying if all humans had a leg chopped off at birth, eventually all humans would be born with only one leg. However, humans are genetically 'programmed' to have two legs, and no amount of chopping can alter that. It is only mutation that can alter our genetic make-up.
If grass to evolve into some self-cutting/shedding thing, it would have to be a result of a RANDOM mutation that bestowed some form of benefit to that individual above the others.
Grasses are already highly evolved, in that they grow from the base of the plant, (not the tips). This means if they are grazed by animals, they can continue to grow if their top has been eaten away. It is in the plants interest to be able to grow quickly and continually, as otherwise they would be grazed away completely, roots and all.

So, the short answer is 'No', as grasses have evolved to withstand grazing or mowing anyway. That's why we use them as 'lawns' in the first place!!

[thewillow]

Sure you've just been cutting the grass?

[robber1]

Smoking it more like!