Accession Count: 330
Common Name:
deergrass
Family Name:
Poaeceae
Botanical Name:
Muhlenbergia rigens
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
Muhlenbergia rigens is a large perennial bunch-grass
characterized by dense clumps of narrow leaves, ranging in color from
grey-green to bright green, that measure approximately an eighth of an inch wide and can reach up to four feet in length (1,2,3,4,5). Clumps have extensive root systems and can
be up to six feet across (1). The plant’s stems are initially erect but gradually
droop downward and outward as summer progresses (2,4). Flowering spikes,
reaching five to six feet when in bloom, appear on the stems and produce flowers that
can vary in anther color from yellow to purple depending on local conditions (2,5).
In the fall, the foliage and flowers turn a light straw color, although the
plant may remain evergreen in milder regions (2,3).
Compound:
Muh rig
Geographic Origin:
Southwest US
Ecozone Origin:
Nearctic
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
Deergrass is a warm-season grass native to the southwestern United
States, ranging from California to Texas, and to northern Mexico (2,4). It is
found at elevations between 2,500 and 7,000 feet in a variety of habitats,
including grasslands, river valleys, and meadows (1,3). The genus name comes
from Heinrich Muhlenberg (1753-1815), a German-educated Lutheran minister and
amateur botanist who described 150 species of plants, including deergrass (4,6).
The specific epithet rigens is Latin for “stiff” or “rigid” (2).
Cultivation Notes:
M. rigens is an excellent selection
for arid landscapes and is a good native alternative to invasive grasses like
pampas grass or fountain grass (4,7). It is readily available in many nurseries
and is easy to grow and maintain (3,5). The plant can be grown from seed but is
more quickly propagated by dividing established plants (1,3). A full stand can
be established within two years (1,5). It can be planted as an accent plant or
to add texture to rock gardens (3,7). When grown in mass plantings it is effective at controlling erosion and suppressing weeds (1). It does well in a variety of soils as long as
they are well drained (1,5,7). It can tolerate occasional flooding, but it will
not survive in poorly drained soils (1). It should be grown in full sun and is rather
shade intolerant (1,5). Once established, the plant can survive on rainfall
alone, although supplemental irrigation in the summer will promote a healthier
aspect (1,3,5,7). It is root hardy to about 10 °F (3). Shearing or burning it to
ground level every few years in the fall or winter will rejuvenate old clumps (1,3,7).
Fertilization is not necessary nor recommended as it will give weeds a
competitive advantage (1).
Ethnobotany:
Native American tribes in California have utilized the flowering stalks
for coiled baskets (1,2). Many tribes controlled deergrass populations by
burning stands of the grass in the fall, which encouraged rapid regeneration of
the plant, resulting in larger stands than would have existed under normal
conditions (1). Deergrass has been used for erosion control and streambank
stabilization (1). Young leaves are palatable to livestock and birds eat the
seeds (1,6). It provides valuable cover for deer and other animals (1,6).
Height:
0 - 5 feet
Width:
0 - 5 feet
Growth Rate:
Fast Growing
Grow Season:
Summer
Flower Season:
Summer
Color:
Cream
Function:
Accent
Spread:
Non-spreading
Allergen:
Non-allergenic
Invasive:
Benign
Toxicity:
Benign
Hardy:
Hardy
Water Use:
Low water Use
