Common Heathgrass
Danthonia decumbens
Also known as: Staggers Grass
- Native to:
- Albania, Algeria, Austria, Azores, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cape Verde, Corse, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, Finland, Føroyar, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Krym, Madeira, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Sardegna, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Transcaucasus, Tunisia, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Ukraine
Kristian Peters -- Fabelfroh 12:37, 19 February 2007 (UTC)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Danthonia
- Species:
- Danthonia decumbens
- USDA Symbol:
- DADE
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- green, brown
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from base after fire; typical of European heath grasslands with periodic burning.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- poor, acidic, well-drained 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:
- 14–28 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily after cold stratification. Light may improve germination rates.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI