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Silver Plume Grass Erianthus alopecuroides

Previously known as:

  • Saccharum alopecuroides
Phonetic Spelling
air-ee-AN-thus al-oh-pek-yur-OH-id-eez
Description

Silver Plume Grass is a native ornamental grass found along roadsides, fields and woodland borders the eastern and central U.S.A. This plant grows best in meadows and natural areas.

Native bees nest in the dead, hollow stems, so gardeners are encouraged to cut back dead stems to 12 to 24 inches and allow them to remain standing until they disintegrate on their own. Read more about best practices for stem-nesting bees in this NC Extension publication.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#NC native#fields#skipper butterflies#pollinator plant#native ornamental grass#nesting sites#larval host plant#food source herbage#Coastal FAC#Piedmont Mountains FAC#bird friendly#food source hard mast fruit#mammals#butterfly friendly#Audubon#common wood-nymph butterfly#wildlife friendly#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#NC native#fields#skipper butterflies#pollinator plant#native ornamental grass#nesting sites#larval host plant#food source herbage#Coastal FAC#Piedmont Mountains FAC#bird friendly#food source hard mast fruit#mammals#butterfly friendly#Audubon#common wood-nymph butterfly#wildlife friendly#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Erianthus
    Species:
    alopecuroides
    Family:
    Poaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eastern and central U.S.A.
    Wildlife Value:
    This is a larval host plant that supports various skipper larvae and Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala) which have one brood from late May to October. Adult Common Wood-Nymph butterflies feed on rotting fruit and flower nectar. Dead stems are used by stem-nesting bees
    Dimensions:
    Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Winter
    Fruit Description:
    Fruits are available November-December.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Flower Description:
    Flowers bloom in October.
  • Leaves:
    Hairs Present:
    No
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds