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, Great Britain, 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, Virgin Islands
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:
- 150 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- green, purple, silver
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★★★☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
black patch (Paratrytone melane)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, butterflies, small mammals
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:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily after cold stratification; surface sow and keep moist.
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.
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Sheffield's Seed (seeds)
- Ernst Seeds (seeds)
- Native Seed Group (seeds)
- North Creek Nurseries (nursery)