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Strickland, Sam C.
Erioneuron pilosum (Buckl.) Nash
Hairy woollygrass, Hairy tridens
Poaceae (Grass Family)
Synonyms: TRPI6 Tridens pilosus (Buckl.) A.S. Hitchc. URPI4 Uralepis pilosa Buckl.
USDA Symbol: erpi5
USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.
Blades: Thick, narrow, flat, glabrous, 2-8 cm. long, 1-2 mm broad. Thick white margin, pointed tip. Culms: 10-30 cm. tall, typically with only 1 node elevated above the basal clusters of leaves. Inflorescence: Contracted panicle or raceme mostly 2-3 cm. long and 10-16 cm broad with 4-9 large, pale spikelets. Fruits: Caryopsis 1.3-1.5 mm. long.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Grass/Grass-like
Root Type: Fibrous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Linear
Leaf Venation: Parallel
Leaf Pubescence: Glabrous
Inflorescence: Panicle
Fruit Type: Caryopsis
Size Notes: This is a low, tufted perennial with a lovely fluffy inflorescence that is nice in a short grass prairie garden.
Fruit:
Size Class: 0-1 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: BrownBloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct
Distribution
USA: AZ , CA , CO , KS , NM , NV , OK , TX , UTNative Distribution: Abundant in far West Texas and the Edwards plateau on prairies and other disturbed areas.
Native Habitat: Well-drained limestone, sand, caliche in open rangelands, pastures, poor areas.
USDA Native Status: L48(N)
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Drought Tolerance: High
Heat Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Limestone-based, Sandy Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam Clay
Conditions Comments: Hairy tridens conforms to a short-grass prairie garden. It provides a good matrix in which to establish wildflowers. Winecup, four-nerve daisy, and blue-eyed grass combine well in plantings with hairy tridens because the grass provides an interesting contrast with its texture.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Attractive.Use Wildlife: Seeds-granivorous birds; Small mammals-nesting material; Poor forage plant for livestock and wildlife.
Use Other: Some value in retarding soil erosion in dry regions subject to occasional heavy rains.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
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
Propagation
Propagation Material: SeedsSeed Treatment: No special pre-treatment.
Commercially Avail: yes
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:Fredericksburg Nature Center - Fredericksburg, TX
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Patsy Glenn Refuge - Wimberley, TX
Jacob's Well Natural Area - Wimberley, TX
Herbarium Specimen(s)
NPSOT 1056 Collected Aug 10, 1995 in Comal County by Mary Beth WhiteNPSOT 0951 Collected Sep 1, 1994 in Bexar County by Harry Cliffe
Wildflower Center Seed Bank
LBJWC-29 Collected 2006-05-16 in Travis County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower CenterBibliography
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 Erioneuron pilosum in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Erioneuron pilosum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Erioneuron pilosum
Metadata
Record Modified: 2008-10-22Research By: TWC Staff
