Brachyelytrum erectum (Schreb.) P. Beauv.

Bearded Shorthusk; Long Awn Woodgrass; Common Shorthusk

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Long Awn Woodgrass is a native perennial herb in the Grass family (Poaceae). It can be found in central and northern portions of Alabama. Long Awn Woodgrass grows in mesic woods, along creeks, and in ravines, often in areas with neutral to basic soils. It is a perennial warm season grass from a short knotty rhizome. The erect culms are solitary or in small clumps and 1-3 feet in height. The stem nodes are densely pubescent. The internodes are glabrous or retrorsely pubescent near the node. The leaf sheaths are pubescent and shorter than the internodes. Leaves are alternate, linear, flat, and have scabrous margins with prickles and large hairs. The lower surface of the blade is pubescent along the veins and the upper surface is glabrous. Flowers are produced in slender, drooping, few-flowered spike-like panicles above the foliage. Each spikelet has a single floret with 1-2 tiny glumes, a solitary lemma and a palea. The palea is nearly as long as the lemma. The lemma has a long awn. The fruit is a grain. Long Awn Woodgrass is a larval food for the Northern Pearly-eye butterfly (Enodia anthedon). Long Awn Woodgrass is sometimes available from native plant nurseries. It is shade tolerant and can be grown in mesic to moist soils under hardwoods. Plants can also be started from seed.—A. Diamond.

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Native G5 (Global Rank)

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