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Elymus hystrix var. hystrix (Eastern bottlebrush grass)
Wasowski, Sally and Andy

Elymus hystrix var. hystrix L.

Eastern bottlebrush grass, Bottle-brush grass

Poaceae (Grass Family)

Synonyms: Hystrix patula, Hystrix hystrix

USDA Symbol: elhyh

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

The light-green, upright flower clusters are this perennial grass’ most interesting feature. They are 2-4 in. wide and 6-8 in. long; the bristle-tipped seeds giving the effect of a bottle brush. Bottle-brush grass grows to 3 ft. tall. Wide, wavy-margined leaves are held horizontally from the stalk.

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Grass/Grass-like
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 1-3 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Green , Brown
Bloom Time: Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , NC , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NM , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , VA , VT , WI , WV
Canada: NB , QC
Native Distribution: S.w. ME to e. ND, s. to GA, TN, n. AR & e. KS
Native Habitat: Rich or rocky, open woods
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Dry to mesic soils.
Conditions Comments: Bottlebrush grass is somewhat lax-stemmed and is better suited to informal areas. It is one of the few true grasses that prefer shade.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Birds, Butterflies
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds

Propagation

Description: Propagate by seed or division.
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Not Available
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

From the National Suppliers Directory

According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:

Amandas Garden - Springwater, NY

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:

North American Native Plant Society - Etobicoke, ON

Bibliography

Bibref 946 - Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes (2002) Wasowski, Sally

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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 Elymus hystrix var. hystrix in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Elymus hystrix var. hystrix in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Elymus hystrix var. hystrix

Metadata

Record Modified: 2009-06-14
Research By: TWC Staff

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