Mountain Hairgrass

Vahlodea atropurpurea

Mountain Hairgrass

Matt Lavin from Bozeman, Montana, USA

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Poaceae
Genus:
Vahlodea
Species:
Vahlodea atropurpurea

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Graminoid
Height:
2-3 ft
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
High
Bloom Months:
jul, aug, sep
Bloom Colors:
Green, Purple, Brown

Native Range

United States: Alaska, California, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, Wyoming, Canada: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Ontario, Quebec, Yukon

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
moist, well-drained, organic-rich soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
good drainage required
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
prefers cool, alpine environments

Germination Information

Pre-treatment: 5 month outdoor stratification or a minimum of 12 day cold, moist stratification

Establishment: D. atropurpurea occurs from Alaska south to California, and in the Rocky Mountains to Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and Colorado, and across Canada to Newfoundland and New Hampshire, Eurasia, also in South America. It is common in moist meadows and open forests in subalpine and alpine habitats.

Source: npn.rngr.net