Slender Hairgrass
Deschampsia elongata
- Native to:
- Argentina, Canada, Chile, Mexico, United States
iNaturalist: © dgreenberger (iNaturalist #3780862)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Deschampsia
- Species:
- Deschampsia elongata
- USDA Symbol:
- DEEL
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 100 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- green, purple
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Juba Skipper (Hesperia juba)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- moist, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- commonly found in meadows and open woodlands
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: Seeds can be sown directly without pretreatment, but can also be treated with gibberellic acid and a 5 day prechill at 5 degrees centigrade for laboratory germination.
Establishment: Seed is collected when the inflorescence begins to dry and the seed is in the soft to hard dough stage but before it shatters from the inflorescence. Trials showed no benefit from stratification. The plant is native to Western North America.
Source: npn.rngr.net
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Native Seed Group (seeds)