Pinegrass
Calamagrostis rubescens
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
Matt Lavin (www.flickr.com) from Bozeman, Montana, USA
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Calamagrostis
- Species:
- Calamagrostis rubescens
- USDA Symbol:
- CARU
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 100 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- purple, green
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Fall Color:
- tan, golden
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from rhizomes after fire. Often increases in cover following low to moderate intensity burns in coniferous forests.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- prefers open forested areas with good sunlight
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination. Surface sow and maintain consistent moisture.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: None required
Establishment: Seeds are collected in mid to late August when florets turn papery and light tan and seeds are easily stripped out of floret. Hand held sickles are used to cut stalks. Seeds are spread on an open tarp in a drying shed and turned twice a day to ensure even drying and prevent mold development. Seed production is usually very high 2 to 3 years after a fire.
Source: npn.rngr.net