Muhlenbergia capillaris (Lam.) Trin. var. capillaris

Scientific Name: Muhlenbergia capillaris (Lam.) Trin. var. capillaris


Classification: Plantae/ Tracheobionta / Spermatophyta / Magnoliophyta / Liliopsida / Commelinidae / Cyperales / Poaceae / Gramineae / Muhlenbergia Schreb./ Muhlenbergia capillaris (Lam.) Trin. var. capillaris

<i>Muhlenbergia capillaris</i> (Lam.) Trin. var. capillaris
General Information
Usda SymbolMUCAC
GroupMonocot
Life CyclePerennial
Growth HabitsGraminoid
Native LocationsMUCAC

Plant Guide

Use a soil moisture meter to monitor the soil moisture where Muhlenbergia capillaris (Lam.) Trin. var. capillaris is planted.

Fact Sheet

Alternate Names

Purple muhly grass Pink muhly Hair grass Gulf muhly Long-awn hairgrass Muhly grass Hairy-awn muhly

Uses

Conservation: Hairawn muhly is a hardy and drought-tolerant native ornamental grass that can be used for land reclamation. It is also useful as a fine fuel for understory burn management programs. Landscaping and wildlife: Hairawn muhly produces striking pink and purple blooms in the fall. It requires little maintenance and is excellent for meadow gardens and as a general garden plant. Hairawn muhly is known to attract beneficial insects such as ladybug beetles (Coccinella spp.). The clumping habit of hairawn muhly makes it excellent for use as wildlife cover.

Status

Hairawn muhly is listed as an endangered species in Connecticut, Indiana, Maryland, and New Jersey; as extirpated in Pennsylvania; and as presumed extirpated in Ohio. Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural Resources for this plant’s current status (e.g., threatened or endangered species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

Description and Adaptation

Adaptation

Adaptation

Hairawn muhly is a native, perennial, warm-season grass that grows from 1–3 feet tall with a 2–3 foot spread, Use soil moisture sensors to measure the soil moisture of Muhlenbergia capillaris (Lam.) Trin. var. capillaris., The stems are un-branched and have an upright habit, The wiry, thin leaves are 18–36 inches long, simple (not made up of multiple leaflets), and alternate (progressing singly up the stem), The leaves are green throughout the summer and turn copper in the fall, The purplish-red or pink flowers are grouped together in a long, diffuse, airy, grouping of flowers which mature from the bottom up, The cluster of flowers is arranged on a stem that is about 18 inches long and 10 inches wide and rises above the leaves, The seed stalks are 2–5 feet tall, Flowers give way to oblong tan or brown seed less than half an inch long, Hairawn muhly clumps but does not spread through above or underground stems (stolons or rhizomes), Hairawn Muhly distribution from USDA, NRCS PLANTS database For updated distribution, please consult the Plant Profile page for this species on the PLANTS Web site,

Establishment

Seeds should be collected from plants in late fall and air-dried for five to ten days. Collect seeds during the warmest and driest time of day using a comb to avoid disturbing the appearance of the plant. For greenhouse propagation, plant seeds in the winter in order to have full plants which are ready for spring planting. Seeds do not need a cold treatment for germination. If direct-seeded outdoors, plant seeds one-eighth of an inch deep in rows spaced 24–48 inches apart. Keep soil moist at all times during establishment. Fertilization is not recommended for stands that have been sown directly. Propagate by dividing existing clumps in early spring and summer. Do not divide clumps during the flowering stage.

Management

Burn or mow hairawn muhly stands in late winter to remove old residue. Hairawn muhly prefers neutral to slightly acidic soils but can tolerate many soil types. It has a low tolerance for high pH soils and a high tolerance for salinity. Hand-weed established stands and fertilize according to soil test recommendations.

Pests and Potential Problems

Aphids are known to infest hairawn muhly blooms during the early stages of seed development. Increasing the numbers of beneficial insects such as ladybug beetles may be a natural means of biological control.

Environmental Concerns

No concerns at this time. Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) There are no recommended cultivars or selected materials at this time. Hairawn muhly is available from commercial nurseries specializing in native plants. Prepared By: Samantha Kirk and Shawn Belt, NRCS, Norman A. Berg National Plant Materials Center, Beltsville, MD

Plant Traits

Growth Requirements

Temperature, Minimum (°F)7
Adapted to Coarse Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Fine Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Medium Textured SoilsYes
Anaerobic ToleranceMedium
CaCO3 ToleranceLow
Cold Stratification RequiredNo
Drought ToleranceLow
Fertility RequirementLow
Fire ToleranceHigh
Frost Free Days, Minimum120
Hedge ToleranceNone
Moisture UseHigh
pH, Maximum6.8
pH, Minimum5.8
Planting Density per Acre, Maxim18000
Planting Density per Acre, Minim11000
Precipitation, Maximum90
Precipitation, Minimum30
Root Depth, Minimum (inches)9
Salinity ToleranceHigh
Shade ToleranceIntolerant


Morphology/Physiology

After Harvest Regrowth RateModerate
ToxicityNone
Resprout AbilityNo
Shape and OrientationErect
Active Growth PeriodSpring and Summer
BloatNone
C:N RatioMedium
Coppice PotentialNo
Fall ConspicuousYes
Fire ResistantNo
Flower ColorRed
Flower ConspicuousNo
Foliage ColorYellow-Green
Foliage Porosity SummerDense
Foliage Porosity WinterModerate
Fruit/Seed ColorPurple
Nitrogen FixationNone
Low Growing GrassYes
LifespanShort
Leaf RetentionNo
Known AllelopathNo
Height, Mature (feet)3.0
Growth RateModerate
Growth FormBunch
Fruit/Seed ConspicuousNo
Foliage TextureFine


Reproduction

Small GrainNo
Seedling VigorMedium
Seed Spread RateSlow
Fruit/Seed Period BeginFall
Seed per Pound1400000
Propagated by TubersNo
Propagated by SprigsYes
Propagated by SodNo
Propagated by SeedYes
Propagated by CuttingsNo
Propagated by ContainerNo
Propagated by BulbNo
Propagated by Bare RootNo
Fruit/Seed PersistenceNo
Fruit/Seed Period EndWinter
Fruit/Seed AbundanceHigh
Commercial AvailabilityRoutinely Available
Bloom PeriodFall
Propagated by CormNo


Suitability/Use

Veneer ProductNo
Pulpwood ProductNo
Post ProductNo
Palatable HumanNo
Palatable Graze AnimalLow
Palatable Browse AnimalLow
Nursery Stock ProductYes
Naval Store ProductNo
Lumber ProductNo
Fodder ProductNo
Christmas Tree ProductNo
Berry/Nut/Seed ProductNo

<i>Muhlenbergia capillaris</i> (Lam.) Trin. var. capillaris

<i>Muhlenbergia capillaris</i> (Lam.) Trin. var. capillaris

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