Green Needlegrass
Nassella viridula
- Native to:
- Canada, Mexico, United States
Matt Lavin (www.flickr.com)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Nassella
- Species:
- Nassella viridula
- USDA Symbol:
- NAVI4
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 120 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- greenish, purple
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Tolerates fire; can resprout from basal crowns after low-severity burns.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, sandy or loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- prefers open grasslands and prairies
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: None required
Establishment: Seed collection dates for different regions: McLaren (98-064s) collected on 8/11/98; Twin Owls (98-098s) collected on 8/31/98; Endovalley (98-140s) collected on 10/3/98. Sowing dates: McLaren (98-064s) sowed 11/10/09; Twin Owls (98-098s) sowed 11/23/98; Endovalley (98-140s) sowed 12/8/98.
Source: npn.rngr.net
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Prairie Moon Nursery (nursery and seeds)
- Native Seed Group (seeds)