Spike Trisetum
Koeleria spicata
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Aleutian Is., Antipodean Is., Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bolivia, Borneo, Canada, Chatham Is., Chile, China, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Falkland Is., Finland, France, Germany, Greenland, Guatemala, Haiti, Iceland, India, Iran, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Korea, Kuril Is., Labrador, Mexico, Nepal, New Guinea, New Zealand, North Caucasus, Norway, Pakistan, Peru, Russia, Spain, Svalbard, Sweden, Switzerland, Tadzhikistan, Taiwan, Transcaucasus, United States, Uzbekistan
Matt Lavin (www.flickr.com)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Koeleria
- Species:
- Koeleria spicata
- USDA Symbol:
- TRSP2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- green
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 in fire-adapted grasslands and steppes.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- dry, sandy, well-drained soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- thrives in open, sunny locations
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily with cold stratification; light may enhance germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Germination occurs at 20D/3N C and 25D/20N C alternating temperature cycles. Germination was greater in light than in dark. 5 month outdoor stratification is also possible but not necessary.
Establishment: High elevation seed sources are reported to germinate higher in light; lower elevation sources germinate higher in dark. Seeds are collected in late August when florets turn from purple to tan and seed is easily shaken out of floret.
Source: npn.rngr.net