Spike Trisetum
Koeleria spicata
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Aleutian Is., Antipodean Is., Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bolivia, Borneo, Canada, Chatham Is., Chile, China, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Falkland Is., Finland, France, Germany, Greenland, Guam, 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, Virgin Islands
iNaturalist: © seanblaney (iNaturalist #7390610)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Koeleria
- Species:
- Koeleria spicata
- USDA Symbol:
- TRSP2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 100 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- green, purple
- Lawn Substitute:
- Yes
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Tolerates fire; resprouts from basal crown after low-severity fire.
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 after cold stratification; sow in fall or stratify for 30-60 days.
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
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Native Seed Group (seeds)