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Elymus hystrix var. hystrix
Elymus hystrix L. var. hystrix
Eastern Bottlebrush Grass, Bottle-brush Grass
Poaceae (Grass Family)
Synonym(s): Hystrix hystrix, Hystrix patula
USDA Symbol: elhyh
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
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 almost 5 ft. tall. Wide, wavy-margined leaves are held horizontally from the stalk.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Grass/Grass-like
Root Type: Fibrous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Venation: Parallel
Fruit Type: Caryopsis
Size Notes: Up to about 5 feet tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Green , BrownBloom 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 , WVCanada: 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
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: Part ShadeSoil 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, ButterfliesConspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds
Propagation
Description: Propagate by seed or division.Commercially Avail: yes
Find Seed or Plants
View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:North American Native Plant Society - Etobicoke, ON
Bibliography
Bibref 946 - Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes (2002) Wasowski, SallySearch More Titles in Bibliography
Additional resources
USDA: Find Elymus hystrix var. hystrix in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Elymus hystrix var. hystrix in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Elymus hystrix var. hystrix
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-01-24Research By: TWC Staff