Native Plant Database

Nassella leucotricha (Texas wintergrass)

Strickland, Sam C.

Nassella leucotricha (Trin. & Rupr.) Pohl

Texas wintergrass, Texas Speargrass, Wintergrass

Poaceae (Grass Family)

Plant: Tufted Inflorescense: Loose panicle 6-25 cm. long with long, slender lower branches. Blades: 10-30 cm. long and 1-4 mm. broad, pubescent with short, stiff hairs on one or both surfaces. Culms: 30-70 cm. tall, often geniculate-spreading at base.

Image Gallery:

17 photo(s) available

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Grass/Grass-like
Root Type: Fibrous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Linear
Leaf Venation: Parallel
Inflorescence: Panicle
Fruit Type: Caryopsis
Size Notes: To 2 feet.
Fruit:
Size Class: 1-3 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun

Distribution

USA: AR , LA , OK , SC , TX
Native Distribution: North and central Texas, north to Oklahoma, south to northern Mexico.
Native Habitat: Prairies, brushy areas, roadsides and disturbed areas.
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun
Heat Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Calcareous, sandy, clayey. Thrives on disturbed soils.
Conditions Comments: Open grassland sites, prairies, roadsides. Not shade tolerant.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Good for early spring forage.
Interesting Foliage: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Larval Host: The Grass Family is an essential larval food for most branded skippers and most of the satyrs.
Deer Resistant: High

Last Update: 2009-02-20