Native Plants of the Great Lakes
North Branch Restoration Project:
Native Plant and Seed Collection
Hystrix Patula / Family: Poaceae
Bottlebrush Grass, Swink/Wilhelm # 5
FLOWERING: Late June - July
SEED TIMING: Late August - early September
HABITAT: A common grass of open, mesic woodlands
DIAGNOSTIC FEATURES: 2.5 - 4 feet high. Leaves have soft
feel. May have reddish color where leaf attaches to stem. Spike has
a distinctive bottlebrush shape which persists into winter.
TO PICK: Caution: Spikelets of this grass are very brittle
and may be knocked off stem even when in full bloom. Do not attempt
to pick green seeds. Wait until straw colored. Also, empty cases
remain on plant once seed is dispersed. Check top of stalk to be
certain there is actually seed inside the case. This is a short
lived perennial or biennial. |
