Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Cyperaceae

Genus:

Rhynchospora

Species:

Rhynchospora miliacea

USDA Symbol:

RHMI5

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Graminoid

Height:

120 cm

Light Requirements:

Full Sun,Part Shade

Drought Tolerance:

Low

Bloom Months:

jun,jul,aug,sep

Bloom Colors:

brown

Wildlife Benefits

Caterpillars:

★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

waterfowl, songbirds

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Resprouts from rhizomes after fire. Common in fire-maintained wet pine savannas and flatwoods.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

moist, nutrient-rich, organic soil

pH:

4.5 - 6.5 (acidic to slightly acidic)

Drainage:

tolerates poor drainage

Moisture:

consistently moist

Notes:

commonly found in wetlands and marshes

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days

Germination Time:

14–60 days

Notes:

Seeds germinate best with consistent moisture and light. Cold stratification improves germination rates.