Plant DetailShow Menu

Plants that fill a similar niche:
Anatherum glomeratum Tuft of grass with white fluffy inflorescences.
Muhlenbergia capillaris Muhlenbergia capillaris
Panicum virgatum Panicum virgatum

Aristida stricta

Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Chaetaria stricta
Phonetic Spelling
ar-RISS-ti-duh STRIK-tah
Description

Wiregrass is an ornamental warm-season bunch grass in the Poaceae family that is found in sandhills and coastal plain regions of the eastern United States. This perennial grass will only produce viable seed if burned during the growing season. The genus name is from the Latin arista, meaning “awn” and referring to the three awns that extend from the florets. The species epithet, stricta, is from the Latin strictus, meaning “straight” or “erect.” 

Wiregrass will grow 1 to 3 feet tall and wide and prefers full sun to partial shade in well-drained sandy soils. It is tolerant of drought and poor soils. Propagation is by division or seeds. Removing spent leaves helps stimulate new growth.

The small brown flowers are in spike-like terminal racemes and the leaves are long, slender and wire-like in appearance. 

Wiregrass is used in naturalized areas and land restoration projects. It could potentially be used in the garden border as it is clump-forming and rarely produces flowers and seeds.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:    No significant problems.

Fire Risk: This plant has an extreme flammability rating and should not be planted within the defensible space of your home.  Select plants with a low flammability rating for the sites nearest your home. 

 

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#fall flowers#winter interest#fall interest#ornamental grass#seeds#reptiles#small mammals#fire extreme flammability#NC native#deer resistant#quail#warm-season grass#yellow fruits#native garden#native ornamental grass#food source fall#food source herbage#Coastal FAC#Piedmont Mountains FAC#sandy soils tolerant#bird friendly#food source hard mast fruit#mammals#winter cover#Audubon#coastal plant#perennial#food source winter#perennial grass#wildlife friendly
 
Form
Form bradleysmith CC BY-NC 4.0 Download Image
Aristida stricta var. beyrichiana
Inflorescence Mary Keim CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 Download Image
Aristida stricta
Wiregrass will only reseed if burned during its growing season. FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 Download Image
Leaves
Leaves Luke Armstrong CC BY-NC 4.0 Download Image
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#fall flowers#winter interest#fall interest#ornamental grass#seeds#reptiles#small mammals#fire extreme flammability#NC native#deer resistant#quail#warm-season grass#yellow fruits#native garden#native ornamental grass#food source fall#food source herbage#Coastal FAC#Piedmont Mountains FAC#sandy soils tolerant#bird friendly#food source hard mast fruit#mammals#winter cover#Audubon#coastal plant#perennial#food source winter#perennial grass#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Aristida
    Species:
    stricta
    Family:
    Poaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    E. North Carolina to N. South Carolina
    Distribution:
    Carolinas south to FL
    Fire Risk Rating:
    extreme flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    Provides cover year-round. Produces seeds eaten by quail and songbirds and provides cover for many birds, reptiles, and small mammals. White-tailed deer may browse foliage but this plant is highly resistant to damage. It is a primary food source for gopher tortoises. Cattle will graze the tender shoots.
    Play Value:
    Wildlife Food Source
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    deer damage, salt. Heat and drought tolerant.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
    Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Occasional Flooding
    Occasionally Dry
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Winter
    Fruit Type:
    Caryopsis
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    The grass produces yellow seeds. They are dispersed by wind or the fur of animals. Fruit displays from November to December. Seeds are produced only after a fire.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    The tiny brown flowers are born on spikelike terminal racemes on stalks extended above the leaves. They bloom from September to November. Mainly flowers only after a fire.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    The long thin leave blades roll inward giving them a wire-like appearance. Young leaves are green and straight and older leaves arch and turn brown. Leaves are up to 20 inches long.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Slope/Bank
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Attracts:
    Reptiles
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Poor Soil