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Nassella leucotricha
Nassella leucotricha (Trin. & Rupr.) Pohl
Texas Wintergrass, Texas Speargrass, Wintergrass
Poaceae (Grass Family)
Synonym(s): Stipa leucotricha
USDA Symbol: nale3
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
Plant: Tufted Inflorescense: Loose panicle 6-25 cm. long with long, slender lower branches. Blades: 10-30 cm. long and 1-4 mm. broad, pubescent with short, stiff hairs on one or both surfaces. Culms: 30-120 cm. tall, often geniculate-spreading at base.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Grass/Grass-like
Root Type: Fibrous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Linear
Leaf Venation: Parallel
Inflorescence: Panicle
Fruit Type: Caryopsis
Size Notes: Up to about 4 feet tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , Green , BrownBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun
Distribution
USA: AR , LA , OK , SC , TXNative Distribution: North and central Texas, north to Oklahoma, south to northern Mexico.
Native Habitat: Prairies, brushy areas, roadsides and disturbed areas.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Heat Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Calcareous, sandy, clayey. Thrives on disturbed soils.
Conditions Comments: Open grassland sites, prairies, roadsides. Not shade tolerant.
Benefit
Use Wildlife: Good for early spring forage.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
Find Seed or Plants
Order seed of this species from Native American Seed and help support the Wildflower Center.
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:Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Brackenridge Field Laboratory - Austin, TX
Stengl Biological Research Station - Smithville, TX
Jacob's Well Natural Area - Wimberley, TX
Herbarium Specimen(s)
NPSOT 0300 Collected Apr 26, 1987 in Bexar County by Harry CliffeNPSOT 0707 Collected Apr 1, 1994 in Bexar County by Mike Fox
Wildflower Center Seed Bank
LBJWC-0012 Collected 2006-05-05 in Travis County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower CenterBibliography
Bibref 946 - Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes (2002) Wasowski, SallySearch More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Additional resources
USDA: Find Nassella leucotricha in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Nassella leucotricha in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Nassella leucotricha
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-01-25Research By: TWC Staff