Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Poaceae

Genus:

Cleistogenes

Species:

Cleistogenes festucacea

Growth Characteristics

Growth Habit:

Forb/herb

Height:

60 cm

Drought Tolerance:

High

Bloom Months:

jun,jul,aug

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

small mammals, birds

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Fall Color:

tan, straw

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

As a steppe grass, tolerates periodic fire and resprouts from crown and rhizomes. Fire stimulates tillering and removes thatch buildup.

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days

Germination Time:

14–28 days

Notes:

Seeds germinate best with light exposure at soil surface. May show variable germination rates typical of dryland grasses.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI