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Simpson, Benny
Poa arachnifera Torr.
Texas bluegrass, Texas blue grass
Poaceae (Grass Family)
USDA Symbol: POAR
USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.
Texas blue grass is tufted, cool season perennial. Dense clusters of stems and leaves rise from long, slender rhizomes. A broad, dense seed head, with tufts of silky-white hairs, tops the 1-1 1/2 ft. culms. Leaves are usually much shorter.
This grass provides fair grazing for wildlife.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Grass/Grass-like
Root Type: Fibrous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Linear
Leaf Venation: Parallel
Inflorescence: Panicle
Fruit Type: Achene , Caryopsis
Size Notes: 1-2 feet.
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 1-3 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , MayDistribution
USA: AL , AR , FL , GA , IL , KS , LA , MS , NC , NM , OK , SC , TN , TXNative Distribution: S. KS to TX; introduced e. to NC & FL
Native Habitat: Woodlands edge, Opening, Prairie, Plains, Meadows, Pastures, Savannahs
USDA Native Status: L48(N)
Growing Conditions
Water Use: MediumLight Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Loams. Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay
Conditions Comments: This Texas cool season native forms clumps with narrow blue-green leaves. In spring the showy 2-3 ft. fluffy silvery flowers rise above the foliage. Good in most well drained soils. Can tolerate some shade. A good groundcover unmowed or mowed. Unlike most grasses, male and female flowers are borne on seperate plants.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: AttractiveUse Wildlife: Fair grazing for wildlife. Graze, Seeds-Small mammals, Seeds-granivorous birds, Nesting material
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Deer Resistant: High
Propagation
Description: Not AvailableSeed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Not Available
Commercially Avail: yes
Mr. Smarty Plants says
Native grasses for shade in Dallas
November 30, 2008
What native grasses can be grown under large Live Oaks in the Dallas Area? The combination of shade and black gumbo soil seem to keep all plant life, except for poison ivy and ferns, out. I would lo...
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Deer-resistant plants for steep hillside erosion control
June 03, 2008
Hello, I am looking for advice on native plants to control erosion on a steep hillside in the western cross timbers. This is a shady area under post oaks and cedar elms, in shallow sandy soil mixed w...
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From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Bibliography
Bibref 291 - Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife (1999) Damude, N. & K.C. BenderSearch More Titles in Bibliography
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 Poa arachnifera in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Poa arachnifera in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Poa arachnifera
Metadata
Record Modified: 2011-02-19Research By: TWC Staff
