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Danthonia spicata
Danthonia spicata (L.) P. Beauv. ex Roem. & Schult.
Poverty Oatgrass, Poverty Wild Oat Grass, Curly Grass
Poaceae (Grass Family)
Synonym(s): Danthonia spicata var. longipila, Danthonia spicata var. pinetorum, Danthonia thermalis
USDA Symbol: dasp2
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N), GL (N), SPM (N)
Poverty wild oat grass is a perennial bunchgrass with wiry clumps of naked stems and tufts of curly, basal leaves. The inflorescence is small and delicate at the top of the 4 in. to 2+ ft. stems.
Clump-forming cool-season grass often bluish-green. Does not persist in fertile soil. (Ontario Native Plants 2002)
From the Image Gallery
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Grass/Grass-like
Root Type: Fibrous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Venation: Parallel
Fruit Type: Caryopsis
Size Notes: Up to about 3 feet tall, often shorter.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: GreenBloom Time: May , Jun , Jul
Distribution
USA: AK , AL , AR , CO , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , ID , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , MT , NC , ND , NH , NJ , NM , NY , OH , OK , OR , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , TX , VA , VT , WA , WI , WV , WYCanada: AB , BC , MB , NB , NL , NS , NT , ON , PE , QC , SK , YT
Native Distribution: Que. to MN, B.C. & s. AK, s. to n. FL, LA, TX & mts. to NM & OR, south to central Mexico
Native Habitat: Open areas; thin woodlands
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , ShadeSoil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Dry/sterile to damp/peaty soils.
Conditions Comments: Var. pinetorum replaces the typical variety from the Rockies westward.
Benefit
Attracts: ButterfliesLarval Host: Indian Skipper
Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)
Chryxus Arctic (Oeneis chryxus) Larval Host |
Indian Skipper (Hesperia sassacus) Larval Host |
Propagation
Description: Sow seed or divide.Seed Treatment: Acid scarification has been shown to increase germination.
Commercially Avail: yes
Find Seed or Plants
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:North American Native Plant Society - Etobicoke, ON
Bibliography
Bibref 1186 - Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.Bibref 1185 - Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright
Search 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 Danthonia spicata in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Danthonia spicata in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Danthonia spicata
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-01-23Research By: TWC Staff