Muhlenbergia capillaris (Lam.) Trin.

Long Awn Muhly; Hair Awn Muhly; Long Awn Hairgrass

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Long Awn Muhly is a native herbaceous perennial in the Grass family (Poaceae). It can be found throughout Alabama. Long Awn Muhly grows in sandy pine woodlands, in prairies, in rocky forest openings, and on roadsides. It is a perennial warn season bunch grass. Culms are erect, not branched, 1-2 feet tall, and glabrous. The leaves are alternate, linear, flat or involute, glabrous on the lower surface and scabrous on the upper surface. Flowers are produced in erect, diffuse panicles. The primary branches of the panicle are capillary and strongly angle away from the main axis. Each secondary branch has 5-20 spikelets and is longer that the spikelets. The spikelets are purplish in color. The fruit is a brownish grain. Long Awn Muhly is often sold as an ornamental grass for its billowy displays of pinkish cloud-like panicles. It prefers a well-draining sandy soil in full sun. Plants can be grown from seed or divisions. Long Awn Muhly can be used as a meadow plant, as a specimen or border plant, and on hard to mow areas such as steep banks, traffic islands, and the margins of golf courses.—A. Diamond.

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Native FACU (NWPL) G5 (Global Rank)

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