Spike Bentgrass
Agrostis exarata
- Native to:
- Aleutian Is., Canada, Kuril Is., Mexico, Russia, United States
Robert H. Mohlenbrock. USDA NRCS. 1992. Western wetland flora: Field office guide to plant species. West Region, Sacramento, CA.
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Agrostis
- Species:
- Agrostis exarata
- USDA Symbol:
- AGEX
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 120 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- green, purple
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Can resprout from rhizomes after fire; often increases in post-fire communities.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- moist, well-drained loamy or clay soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- commonly found in wet meadows and along streambanks
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily without pretreatment in moist soil.
Pre-treatment: None required
Establishment: The plant is native from Alaska to South Dakota and south to California, Texas and Mexico. It occurs in a wide variety of habitats including forest openings, grasslands, meadows, marshes, and stream and lake margins from sea level to alpine zones. It is most commonly found in moist, open, disturbed places, but is also found in dry habitats such as semi-arid grasslands.
Source: npn.rngr.net
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Native Seed Group (seeds)