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Koeleria macrantha
Koeleria macrantha (Ledeb.) Schult.
Prairie Junegrass, Junegrass, Prairie Koeler's Grass
Poaceae (Grass Family)
Synonym(s): Koeleria albescens, Koeleria cristata, Koeleria cristata var. longifolia, Koeleria cristata var. pinetorum, Koeleria gracilis, Koeleria nitida, Koeleria pyramidata, Koeleria yukonensis
USDA Symbol: KOMA
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), HI (I), CAN (N)
This 1-3+ ft., perennial bunchgrass bears dense, silvery green, spike-like seedheads which start growth very early in spring and turn tan by mid-summer. The leaves of June grass are gray-green.
Prairie Koeler's Grass is a cool-season grass, dormant in late summer. On the Pacific coast there is a rather large, loosely tufted form with a more open seed head.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Grass/Grass-like
Root Type: Fibrous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Venation: Parallel
Fruit Type: Caryopsis
Size Notes: Up to about 4 feet tall, often shorter.
Leaf: Green
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: YellowBloom Time: Apr , May , Jun
Distribution
USA: AK , AL , AR , AZ , CA , CO , DE , HI , IA , ID , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , MT , ND , NE , NM , NV , NY , OH , OK , OR , PA , SD , TX , UT , VT , WA , WI , WYCanada: AB , BC , MB , NL , ON , SK
Native Distribution: Ont. to B.C., s. to PA, OH, LA & Mex.; introduced in the Northeast
Native Habitat: Dry, sandy prairies; open woods; rocky slopes
Growing Conditions
Water Use: HighLight Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Drought Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Sandy or rocky soils.
Conditions Comments: Because June grass is a cool-season grass, companion plants should be chosen to mask its late-summer dormancy. On the Pacific coast there is a rather large, loosely tufted form with a more open seed head.
Benefit
Attracts: BirdsValue to Beneficial Insects
Provides Nesting Materials/Structure for Native BeesThis information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Propagation
Description: Propagate by seed sown unstratified in fall or statified in spring. Sow 1/4" deep. Seed germinated best when weather is cool. Seedlings are almost invisible when first emerging. 1- to 3-year old plants may be divided in early spring.Seed Collection: Collect in Sep. and Oct.
Seed Treatment: Dry stratification is beneficial.
Commercially Avail: yes
Find Seed or Plants
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.
Mr. Smarty Plants says
Groundcover for erosion control
September 23, 2008
I live in southern california. What is the best groundcover
to plant on a slope to prevent erosion?
view the full question and answer
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:North American Native Plant Society - Etobicoke, ON
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Bibliography
Bibref 946 - Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes (2002) Wasowski, SallyBibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.
Bibref 1294 - The Midwestern Native Garden: Native Alternatives to Nonnative Flowers and Plants An Illustrated Guide (2011) Adelman, Charlotte and Schwartz, Bernard L.
Search More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Additional resources
USDA: Find Koeleria macrantha in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Koeleria macrantha in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Koeleria macrantha
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-01-25Research By: TWC Staff