Savanna Hairgrass Muhlenbergia expansa

• Attributes:

  Genus:

  Muhlenbergia

  Species:

  expansa

  Family:

  Poaceae

  Life Cycle:

  Perennial

  Country Or Region Of Origin:

  Southeastern U.S.A., Texas

  Distribution:

  AL, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TX, VA

  Wildlife Value:

  Seeds are eaten by sparrows and other birds

• Whole Plant Traits:

  Plant Type:

  Native Plant

  Ornamental Grasses and Sedges

  Habit/Form:

  Clumping

• 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)

  Soil Drainage:

  Moist

  Occasionally Wet

  NC Region:

  Coastal

• Fruit:

  Fruit Color:

  Pink

  Purple/Lavender

  Display/Harvest Time:

  Fall

  Fruit Type:

  Caryopsis

  Fruit Length:

  < 1 inch

  Fruit Description:

  The seedhead is a diffuse purple panicle. It is delicate and may break apart over winter.

• Flowers:

  Flower Color:

  Pink

  Flower Bloom Time:

  Fall

  Flower Description:

  Flowering and fruiting occurs mainly in September and October. Inflorescence is diffuse, 3-12 inches long with primary branches 1-8 inches, pedicels longer than spikelets.

• Leaves:

  Leaf Color:

  Green

  Leaf Shape:

  Linear

  Leaf Margin:

  Entire

  Hairs Present:

  No

  Leaf Length:

  > 6 inches

  Leaf Width:

  < 1 inch

  Leaf Description:

  The leaf blade is 12 to 14 inches long, narrow, wiry, tough, twists slightly at maturity and margins fold or roll inward. The leaf sheath is rounded, mostly basal and curls into fibrous mass at maturity.

• Stem:

  Stem Is Aromatic:

  No

• Landscape:

  Landscape Location:

  Coastal

  Meadow

  Woodland

  Landscape Theme:

  Butterfly Garden

  Native Garden

  Pollinator Garden

  Rain Garden

  Attracts:

  Butterflies

  Small Mammals

  Songbirds

  Resistance To Challenges:

  Wet Soil