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Muhlenbergia sericea is often confused with:
Muhlenbergia capillaris Muhlenbergia capillaris
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Chasmanthium latifolium Chasmanthium latifolium
Panicum virgatum Panicum virgatum
Solidago sempervirens Form

Sweet 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

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:
Tags:
#rain garden#slopes#pond margins#salt spray tolerant#NC native#native ornamental grass#larval host plant#food source fall#Coastal OBL#food source herbage#Piedmont Mountains FAC#wet soils tolerant#bird friendly#food source hard mast fruit#mammals#Audubon#coastal plant#stormwater garden#sandy soils#dunes
 
Form in bloom
Form in bloom Clayton Bownds CC BY-NC 4.0
Form
Form Cord Eversole CC BY-NC 4.0
Leaves and stem
Leaves and stem Shannon CC BY-NC 4.0
Native habitat
Native habitat Forest & Kim Starr CC BY 3.0
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#rain garden#slopes#pond margins#salt spray tolerant#NC native#native ornamental grass#larval host plant#food source fall#Coastal OBL#food source herbage#Piedmont Mountains FAC#wet soils tolerant#bird friendly#food source hard mast fruit#mammals#Audubon#coastal plant#stormwater garden#sandy soils#dunes
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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