Bluejoint
Calamagrostis canadensis
- Native to:
- Canada, Greenland, Labrador, Prince Edward I., United States, Virgin Islands
Robert H. Mohlenbrock @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / USDA SCS. 1989. Midwest wetland flora: Field office illustrated guide to plant species. Midwest National Technical Center, Lincoln, NE.
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Calamagrostis
- Species:
- Calamagrostis canadensis
- USDA Symbol:
- CACA4
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 150 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- purple, greenish
Wildlife Benefits
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Chortodes defecta, false wainscot (Leucania pseudargyria), Faronta albilinea, Faronta diffusa, Virginia Ctenucha (Ctenucha virginica)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Rhizomes survive fire; can increase after fire in moist sites.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, moisture-retentive organic soil
- pH:
- 5.0 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Common in wetlands and marshy areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate best after cold stratification; surface sow on moist soil and keep consistently moist.
Pre-treatment: None required
Establishment: Germination rates and times varied across protocols. Seeds germinated readily in both warm and cool environments. The plant prefers moist environments and is found to grow in most of the United States and northern countries around the world.
Source: npn.rngr.net
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Sheffield's Seed (seeds)
- Pizzo Native Plant Nursery (wholesale nursery)
- Native Plants Nursery (nursery)
- Prairie Moon Nursery (nursery and seeds)