Tufted Hairgrass
Deschampsia cespitosa
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Albania, Aleutian Is., Antipodean Is., Australia, Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Chatham Is., China, Congo, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Finland, Føroyar, France, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Gulf of Guinea Is., Hungary, Iceland, India, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kirgizstan, Korea, Krym, Kuril Is., Labrador, Mexico, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Caucasus, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Prince Edward I., Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Sicilia, Spain, Svalbard, Sweden, Switzerland, Tadzhikistan, Taiwan, Tanzania, Transcaucasus, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Uganda, Ukraine, United States, Uzbekistan
iNaturalist: © adyyy (iNaturalist #209476650)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Deschampsia
- Species:
- Deschampsia cespitosa
- USDA Symbol:
- DECE
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 120 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- green, gold, silver
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
black patch (Paratrytone melane)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- gold, tan
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from base after fire; commonly found in fire-maintained meadows and openings.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- moist, fertile, well-drained soil
- pH:
- 5.0 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Commonly found in wet meadows and marshes
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–28 days
- Notes:
- Light aids germination; surface sow and do not cover seed deeply. Cool temperatures (60-70°F) optimal.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seed is stored in cool-dry conditions with temperatures of approximately 50ø F and relative humidity of 20 to 30%. Seed is not stratified prior to planting.
Establishment: Seed is most commonly collected by hand. Fruiting heads can be cut from stems using shears or a hand scythe. Seed is hard and brown when ripe. The plant is generally distributed throughout northern North America except southeastern states.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months.