Giant Cutgrass
Zizaniopsis miliacea
- Native to:
- Mexico, United States
Robert H. Mohlenbrock. USDA SCS. 1991. Southern wetland flora: Field office guide to plant species. South National Technical Center, Fort Worth. Courtesy of USDA NRCS Wetland Science Institute
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Zizaniopsis
- Species:
- Zizaniopsis miliacea
- USDA Symbol:
- ZIMI
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 300 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Donacaula maximella, Broad-winged Skipper (Poanes viator), Least Skipper (Ancyloxypha numitor)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Butterflies:Broad-winged Skipper (Poanes viator)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- waterfowl, birds, small mammals
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from rhizomes following fire; fire can stimulate new growth in marshes.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, moisture-retentive clay or loam
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- commonly found in wetland areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require wet conditions and may germinate underwater or in saturated soil.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI