Prairie Junegrass
Koeleria macrantha
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Albania, Austria, Baleares, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Czechia-Slovakia, East Aegean Is., France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Korea, Krym, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, North Caucasus, NW. Balkan Pen., Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, Tadzhikistan, Transcaucasus, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United States, Uzbekistan, Yemen
Don Pedro28
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Koeleria
- Species:
- Koeleria macrantha
- USDA Symbol:
- KOMA
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- green, tan
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Columbia skipper (Hesperia columbia)
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. Common component of fire-maintained prairies and grasslands.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- Thrives in open, sunny habitats
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–28 days
- Notes:
- Light enhances germination. Seeds germinate readily with cool temperatures.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds placed in 32-34°F for a 10-day cold stratification treatment and then exposed to 72-77°F. Alternatively, seeds can be directly sown into plugs and put in the greenhouse at 60°F at night, 75°F during daylight or subjected to 15 days cold stratification in refrigerator.
Establishment: Fertilizer application is not recommended the first year, as it generally stimulates weed growth and competition. Germination is reported to be higher in the presence of light. There is some variation in germination rates and times depending on the specific protocol used.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months.