Columbia Needlegrass
Eriocoma nelsonii
Also known as: Dore's needlegrass
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
iNaturalist: © gpappas (iNaturalist #147507295)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Eriocoma
- Species:
- Eriocoma nelsonii
- USDA Symbol:
- ACNE9
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Garita Skipperling (Oarisma garita)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from basal buds following fire; benefits from periodic burning to reduce competition.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- adapted to arid and semi-arid regions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–28 days
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Application of gibberellic acid
Establishment: The species A. nelsonii ssp. dorei is found in interior sections of the Pacific northwest U.S. The propagation protocol may vary based on the size of the lot, with very small lots being hand collected into bags and larger lots being grown and harvested at a nursery.
Source: npn.rngr.net