Nassella tenuissima

Wispy green blades form clumps reaching 2 feet tall and wide. This grass found in Texas, New Mexico, and Mexico develops blond summer flower heads.

One of a few plants to occur naturally in southwestern North America and in southern South America with no natural populations in between, Nassella tenuissima is popular in landscaping for its delicate, thread-like leaves that billow gracefully in even the slightest breeze. It is native in North America only to mountains in west Texas and adjacent New Mexico south to central Mexico, but it has become widely used throughout hospitable areas of the US and elsewhere. Given the right conditions - well-drained soil, the right amount of water, and adequate sunlight - this grass can even become invasive outside of its native range. But within its range and in well-managed landscapes, it is a welcome addition to the garden that can add a dramatic softening touch to harder-edged plants and architecture.