Muhly Grass Muhlenbergia capillaris
Introduction
Muhly Grass has a clumping form growing 3- to
4-feet-tall and about as wide. A stiff, upright
growth habit makes this markedly different
from many other grasses. Delicate purple
flowers emerge in the fall well above the
foliage and can literally cover the foliage.
It is native to pine flatwoods, coastal upland
and beach dunes, and sandhill communities.
This is very similar to Muhlenbergia filipes.
General Information
Scientific name: Muhlenbergia capillaris
Pronunciation: mew-len-BER-jee-uh kap-pill-LAIR-riss
Common name(s): Purple Muhly Grass, Muhly Grass
Family: Gramineae
Plant type: herbaceous; ornamental grass
USDA hardiness zones: 7 through 11
Planting month for zone 9: year round
Origin: native to Florida
Uses: reclamation plant; cut flowers; border;
accent; mass planting
Availability: somewhat available, may have to
go out of the region to find the plant Description
Height: 3 to 5 feet
Spread: 2 to 3 feet
Plant habit: upright
Plant density: open
Growth rate: moderate
Texture: fine
Foliage
Leaf arrangement: alternate
Leaf type: simple
Leaf margin: entire
Leaf shape: linear
Leaf venation: parallel
Leaf type and persistence: semi-evergreen
Leaf blade length: 18 to 36 inches
Leaf color: green
Fall color: copper
Fall characteristic: showy
Flower
Flower color: pink
Flower characteristic: fall flowering
Fruit
Fruit shape: oval
Fruit length: less than .5 inch
Fruit cover: dry or hard
Fruit color: brown
Fruit characteristic: inconspicuous and not showy
Trunk and Branches
Trunk/bark/branches: typically multi-trunked
or clumping Pest resistance: no serious pests
are normally seen on the plant
Current year stem/twig color: not applicable
Current year stem/twig thickness: medium
Culture
Light requirement: plant grows in full sun
Soil tolerances: extended flooding; acidic; alkaline;
sand; loam; clay;
Drought tolerance: high
Soil salt tolerances: moderate
Plant spacing: 24 to 36 inches Other
Roots: not applicable
Winter interest: plant has winter interest due
to unusual form, nice persistent fruits, showy
winter runk, or winter flowers
Outstanding plant: plant has outstanding ornamental
features and could be planted more
Invasive potential: not known to be invasive
Use and Management
Muhly Grass is a tough native grass useful in
many different landscape sites. It has extreme
tolerance to drought and flooding making
it suited for wetland sites as well as beach
front landscapes. It would be hard to find
a more adaptable grass. Muhly Grass makes
a nice, fine-textured mass planting for sites
ranging from roadside to residential landscape.
Plant them in large sweeping drifts on a
large landscape for a dramatic effect. It
is virtually maintenance free except in those
instances where you might want to remove
the brown foliage in the spring by cutting
the clump back to the ground before new growth
emerges. Growth is best in sandy or rocky
soil.
Pests and Diseases
There are no known pests or problems.
by Edward F. Gilman
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