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Strickland, Sam C.
Muhlenbergia reverchonii Vasey & Scribn.
Seep muhly
Poaceae (Grass Family)
USDA Symbol: MURE2
USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.
Seep muhly is a 2-3 1/2 ft. grass with dense tufts of slender stems and foliage. Old basal sheaths form a curly, fibrous mass at the base of the plant. The seed head is delicate, purplish and branching.
The genus of this plant is named for Gotthilf Heinrich Ernst Muhlenberg (1753-1815), also Heinrich Ludwig Muehlenberg, or Henry Muhlenberg, who was a German-educated Lutheran minister and the first president of Franklin College, now Franklin and Marshall College, Pennsylvania. He is most famous due to his work in the field of botany. An accomplished botanist, chemist, and minerologist, Henry is credited with classifying and naming 150 species of plants in his 1785 work Index Flora Lancastriensis. Muhlenbergs work and collaboration with European botanists led to great advances in the study of plants and earned him the distinction as Americas first outstanding botanist.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Grass/Grass-like
Size Class: 1-3 ft.
Size Notes: 2-3.5
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Pink , BrownBloom Time: Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov
Distribution
USA: OK , TXNative Distribution: TX & OK
Native Habitat: Grassy, limestone slopes; rocky prairies. Abundant on grassy limestone slopes, eastern Edwards Plateau and North Central Texas. Limestone, clay, caliche soils.
USDA Native Status: L48(N)
Growing Conditions
Water Use: MediumLight Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Dry, gravelly soils. Calcareous, Limestone-based Rocky, Clay, Clay Loam
Conditions Comments: The central Texas version of Gulf muhly stays slightly smaller than M. capillaris, is not quite as pink when blooming, and has leaves that sometimes curl like ribbon. Makes a wonderful plant for a meadow, especially if there is a little bit of moisture such as a seep.
Texas comments: Seep muhly is the central Texas version of Gulf muhly. It stays slightly smaller and is not quite as pink when blooming. It also has leaves that sometimes curl like ribbon. It makes a wonderful plant for a meadow, especially if there is a little bit of moisture such as a seep.
Benefit
Conspicuous Flowers: yesInteresting Foliage: yes
Deer Resistant: High
Propagation
Propagation Material: SeedsSeed Collection: Collect seed November.
Mr. Smarty Plants says
Question: I am looking for a tough, native TX plant to put in full sun location between the sidewalk and street. I would love for it to flower all summer. There is some irrigation but not much. I don't want the plants to get too tall and block visibility for driving out the driveway. Any suggestions?
click here to 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:Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Bibliography
* Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. WasowskiTexas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife (1999) Damude, N. & K.C. Bender
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Recommended Species Lists
Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.
View Recommended Species pageAdditional resources
USDA: Find Muhlenbergia reverchonii in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Muhlenbergia reverchonii in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Muhlenbergia reverchonii
Metadata
Record Modified: 2009-04-18Research By: TWC Staff, MAC
