Poverty Oatgrass
Danthonia spicata
- Native to:
- Canada, Greenland, Labrador, Mexico, Prince Edward I., United States
iNaturalist: © rarecatsnake (iNaturalist #209385390)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Danthonia
- Species:
- Danthonia spicata
- USDA Symbol:
- DASP2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 70 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- tan, bronze
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts readily from basal buds following fire. Common in fire-maintained openings and dry woodlands.
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:
- adapted to poor, rocky soils
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds may also germinate without stratification but cold treatment improves rates. Cleistogamous seeds common.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: One month of moist cold stratification is required. Use a Ziploc-style bag or a small Rubbermaid-style container to mix an equal amount of seeds with either perlite or vermiculite. Add a small amount of water. 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: The plant is found in the eastern half of the United States and likes dry to sterile or rocky soils. It is particularly common on jack pine plains, where it may form a solid carpet after disturbance, occasionally found in marshy or boggy places. Seed is collected by hand from locally native plants within the eastern central Upper Peninsula or in Acadia National Park, Maine.
Source: npn.rngr.net