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Wasowski, Sally and Andy (Santa Barbara, CA)

Muhlenbergia rigens (Benth.) A.S. Hitchc.

Deergrass, Deer grass, Meadow muhly, Deer muhly

Poaceae (Grass Family)

Synonyms: Muhlenbergia marshii, Epicanthes rigens

USDA Symbol: MURI2

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Deer grass or meadow muhly, a robust, perennial bunchgrass, grows 3-4 ft. high, with narrow, 2 ft. plumes rising above light-green blades. The plant resembles a small pampas grass.

The genus of this plant is named for Gotthilf Heinrich Ernst Muhlenberg (1753-1815), also Heinrich Ludwig Muehlenberg, or Henry Muhlenberg, who was a German-educated Lutheran minister and the first president of Franklin College, now Franklin and Marshall College, Pennsylvania. He is most famous due to his work in the field of botany. An accomplished botanist, chemist, and minerologist, Henry is credited with classifying and naming 150 species of plants in his 1785 work Index Flora Lancastriensis. Muhlenberg's work and collaboration with European botanists led to great advances in the study of plants and earned him the distinction as America's first outstanding botanist.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Grass/Grass-like
Size Class: 3-6 ft.
Leaf Color: Green

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep
Bloom Notes: The bloom time varies over its range.

Distribution

USA: AZ , CA , NV , NM , TX
Native Distribution: Sierra Nevada foothills, South Coast Ranges & Little San Bernadino Mts.
Native Habitat: Damp to dry grasslands, open woods & seasonal creeks
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Moist
CaCO3 Tolerance: None
Soil Description: Seasonally wet to dry soils.
Conditions Comments: Meadow muhly will attain mature size in one or two seasons.

Propagation

Description: Sow seed.
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: No treatment is necessary.
Commercially Avail: yes

PlantWise: Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants

Muhlenbergia rigens (Deergrass) is a PlantWise native alternative for:

   Pennisetum setaceum (crimson fountaingrass)

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
United States Botanic Garden - Washington, DC
* Available Online from Wildflower Center Store

Bibliography

* Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Additional resources

USDA: Find Muhlenbergia rigens in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Muhlenbergia rigens in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Muhlenbergia rigens

Metadata

Record Modified: 2008-08-27
Research By: TWC Staff

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