Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Poaceae

Genus:

Muhlenbergia

Species:

Muhlenbergia mexicana

USDA Symbol:

MUME2

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Graminoid

Height:

90 cm

Light Requirements:

Full Sun

Drought Tolerance:

Low

Bloom Months:

jul,aug,sep,oct

Wildlife Benefits

Caterpillars:

★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

birds, small mammals

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Fall Color:

tan

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Resprouts from rhizomes following fire; tolerates periodic burning typical of moist prairie habitats.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

moist, fertile, well-drained loam

pH:

5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)

Drainage:

tolerates poor drainage

Moisture:

consistently moist

Notes:

commonly found in wet meadows and stream banks

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days

Germination Time:

14–30 days

Notes:

Seeds require light for germination; surface sow and do not cover.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI