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Smith, R.W.

Elymus hystrix

Elymus hystrix L.

Eastern Bottlebrush Grass, Bottlebrush Grass

Poaceae (Grass Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: ELHY

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)

Greenish-brown, bristly spikelets in several to many clusters along a terminal spike atop an erect smooth stem.

Together, the groups of spikelets resemble a bottlebrush, hence the common name. The species name, from the Greek hystrix ("hedgehog"), aptly describes the bristly spikelets. This grass is sometimes known as Hystrix patula.

From the Image Gallery

12 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Grass/Grass-like
Root Type: Fibrous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Linear
Leaf Venation: Parallel
Fruit Type: Caryopsis
Size Notes: Up to about 5 feet tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Green
Bloom Time: Jun , 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: MB , NB , NS , ON , QC
Native Distribution: Manitoba east to Nova Scotia, south to Georgia, west to Oklahoma, and north to North Dakota.
Native Habitat: Woods

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry , Moist
Soil Description: Loam

Benefit

Use Ornamental: A grass that does well in a woodland garden with other species that grow in filtered light
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Larval Host: Northern Pearly Eye, (Enodia anthedon)

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

Northern Pearly Eye
(Enodia anthedon)

Larval Host

Learn more at BAMONA

Find Seed or Plants

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

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:	UPL				UPL	FACU		FACU	FACU

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE

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.
Bibref 1294 - The Midwestern Native Garden: Native Alternatives to Nonnative Flowers and Plants An Illustrated Guide (2011) Adelman, Charlotte and Schwartz, Bernard L.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2012-12-07
Research By: TWC Staff

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