Spiked Muhly

Muhlenbergia glomerata

Native to:
Canada, Prince Edward I., United States

📍 View on iNaturalist →

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Poaceae
Genus:
Muhlenbergia
Species:
Muhlenbergia glomerata
USDA Symbol:
MUGL3

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Graminoid
Height:
100 cm
Light Requirements:
Part Shade
Drought Tolerance:
Low
Bloom Months:
aug,sep,oct
Bloom Colors:
purple, green

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
birds, small mammals
Deer Resistant:
Yes
Fall Color:
tan, bronze
Fire Ecology:
Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
Fire Notes:
Resprouts from rhizomes following fire; historically maintained in wet prairies and fens by periodic burning.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
moist, nutrient-rich loamy soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
tolerates poor drainage
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
Commonly found in wet meadows and marshes

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
Germination Time:
14–30 days
Notes:
Light may improve germination. Sow on surface or barely cover.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI