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Calamovilfa longifolia (Hook.) Scribn.

Prairie sandreed, Sandreed grass

Poaceae (Grass Family)

USDA Symbol: calo

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Prairie sand-reed is a 2-6 ft. sod-forming, perennial grass with a stiffly erect culm and long, tapering leaves. The seed head is 4-16 in. long with narrow, ascending branches. Prairie sand-reed stays green until frost, then cures well to remain effective in the winter landscape.

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Grass/Grass-like
Leaf: Green
Fruit:
Size Class: 3-6 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: CO , IA , ID , IL , IN , KS , MI , MN , MO , MT , ND , NE , NM , NY , OH , PA , SD , WI , WY
Canada: AB , SK
Native Distribution: Ont. to s.e. B.C., s. to IN, IL, KS, CO & n. ID
Native Habitat: Sandy hills, prairies & open woods
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Sandy, well-drained soils.
Conditions Comments: This is a good grass for erosion control in sandy blowout areas. Var. magna occurs on sand dunes of Ont. and the Great Lakes region. This variety is heavily pigmented purple. Var. longifolia occurs throughout the rest of the range. Both varieties are drought-tolerant.

Propagation

Description: Not Available
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Not Available
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

Mr. Smarty Plants says

Native plants of dune erosion control in Michigan
May 30, 2008
We care for Lake Michigan dune near our home in New Buffalo and would like to provide erosion control with native species that will also enhance the beauty of the dune with long lasting flowers. The ...
view the full question and answer

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:

Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Bibliography

Bibref 946 - Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes (2002) Wasowski, Sally
Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.

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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 page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Calamovilfa longifolia in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Calamovilfa longifolia in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Calamovilfa longifolia

Metadata

Record Modified: 2009-02-20
Research By: TWC Staff

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