Wavy Hairgrass
Avenella flexuosa
- Native to:
- Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Borneo, Bulgaria, Burundi, Canada, Chile, Congo, Corse, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Falkland Is., Finland, Føroyar, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Greenland, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Kuril Is., Labrador, Madeira, Morocco, Nepal, North Caucasus, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Prince Edward I., Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Sardegna, Sicilia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Transcaucasus, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Uganda, Ukraine, United States, Uruguay, Virgin Islands
Mason Brock ( Masebrock (en.wikipedia.org) )
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Avenella
- Species:
- Avenella flexuosa
- USDA Symbol:
- DEFL
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 100 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- greenish, purple
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Can resprout after fire; often increases in abundance post-fire in heathlands and pine barrens.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, acidic, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 4.5 - 6.5 (acidic to slightly acidic)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- commonly found in heathlands and acidic grasslands
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily after cold stratification; surface sow on moist, acidic soil.
Pre-treatment: One to three months of moist cold stratification is required. Mix an equal amount of seeds with either perlite or vermiculite in a Ziploc-style bag or a small Rubbermaid-style container. Add a small amount of water and place in a refrigerator or cold garage (33-42 degrees F) for at least one month. Cold store until planted (up to 3 years).
Establishment: Seed is collected by hand from locally native plants within the eastern central Upper Peninsula and at Acadia National Park, Maine. No artificial light is used in the greenhouse. The plant is adapted to dry or rocky woods, slopes and partially shaded sites.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months.
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- North Creek Nurseries (nursery)
- Native Plants Nursery (nursery)
- Sheffield's Seed (seeds)