Gulf Muhly Grass Muhlenbergia sericea
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Muhlenbergia capillaris var. filipes
- Muhlenbergia filipes
- Phonetic Spelling
- mew-len-BERG-gee-uh ser-ee-KEE-uh
- Description
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Sweet Grass is a native ornamental grass with attractive purple to green foliage. This plant is especially well suited for planting in landscape areas that receive minimal maintenance and is generally marketed by the nursery trade in the southeastern U.S. under the common name purple muhly. This species is an important component of the coastal ecological community. Its root system provides structural stability to the soils.
Habitat: Found in dunes and barrier islands. Very salt and wet soils tolerant
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Muhlenbergia
- Species:
- sericea
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Used in coiled basketry
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southeastern U.S.A.
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant attracts birds, butterflies, and mammals. It provides cover, nesting sites, and travel corridors for song birds, waterfowl, and small mammals.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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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:
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Pink
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Caryopsis
- Fruit Description:
- Pinkish maturing to brown fruit displays from October to December.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Flower Description:
- The elongated panicles are 7- to 24- inches long and diffuse or open, with fine branches. Spikelets are 3- to 5-mm long and purplish in color. October to November.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Leaf-blades are 13- to 39-inches long and 1/2- to 1 inch wide, usually involute (rolled inwards), dark green in color, and smooth on the upper surface and rough on the lower.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Upright culms are 2-5 feet tall and mostly unbranched and smooth although there may be a few hairs ant the sheath
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Naturalized Area
- Pond
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Design Feature:
- Mass Planting
- Small Tree
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Wet Soil
