Muhlenbergia rigens
Muhlenbergia rigens | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Monocots |
Clade: | Commelinids |
Order: | Poales |
Family: | Poaceae |
Genus: | Muhlenbergia |
Species: | M. rigens
|
Binomial name | |
Muhlenbergia rigens (
Hitchc. |
Muhlenbergia rigens, commonly known as deergrass, is a warm season perennial
Description
Deergrass is characterized by dense, tufted basal foliage consisting of narrow pointed leaves that reach lengths of about 3 feet (0.91 m). The foliage ranges in color from light silver-green to purple. The spikelike stems are less than half an inch wide and 3–4 feet (0.91–1.22 m) in length. During bloom, the numerous flowered panicles often reach heights of five feet. The spikelets consist of a single awnless floret with a 3-nerved lemma.
Distribution
The
Uses
The young shoots are browsed by a variety of animals,
Among the Zuni people, the grass is attached to the sticks of plume offerings to anthropic gods.[6]
Cultivation and habitat restoration
Muhlenbergia rigens can be established in late spring and early summer by broadcast seeding with irrigation. For best results, 50 seeds per square foot are planted then lightly incorporated just below the soil surface with a culti-packer. Establishment is most successful when steps are taken to mitigate weed growth. Burning, discing, and reduced fertilization schemes to reduce the weed seed bank are recommended.
Container planting is a highly effective way of establishing deergrass. The seed can be sown in flats in May and transplanted in the fall of the same year. In California, except in areas of heavy frost, Muhlenbegia rigens can be successfully planted in winter and spring to take advantage of seasonal rainfall.[7] Stand preparation should be the same as when broadcast-seeded. During transplant, plants should be spaced with a minimum of two feet between them. After establishment little management is required. Irrigation is unnecessary in normal rainfall years and fertilization is not recommended as it may increase weed competition. Burning or mowing can be used every few years to reduce accumulated dead matter.
Because Muhlenbergia rigens uses
Ecology
Muhlenbergia rigens is a cover for
History
Deergrass was important to many
References
- ^ USDA Plants Profile; Muhlenbergia rigens
- ^ Grass Manual Treatment: Muhlenbergia rigens
- ^ "Muhlenbergia rigens-Deer Grass_Habit and Cultural Information".
- ^ "Muhlenbergia rigens: A Grass for All Seasons, All Reasons_Muhlenbergia rigens_UC".
- ^ "Yerba Buena Nursery_California Native Plants & Ferns".
- ^ Stevenson, Matilda Coxe 1915 Ethnobotany of the Zuni Indians. SI-BAE Annual Report #30 (p. 91)
- ^ "Manual of California Native Plants_Las Pilitas Nursery".
- ^ Hunter, KAM, Wu, L. (2005). Morphological and Physiological Response of Five Californian Native Grass Species to Moderate Salt Spray: Implications for Landscape Irrigation with Reclaimed Water. Journal of Plant Nutrition. 28 247-270
- ^ Bowyer, RT. Bleich, VC. (1984). Effects of cattle grazing on selected habitats of southern mule deer. California Fish and Game. 70:4 240-247
- ^ ISBN 978-1-60469-232-7.
- ^ Jordan, TA. (2003). Ecological and Cultural Contributions of Controlled Fire Use by Native Californians: A Survey of Literature. American Indian Culture and Research Journal. 27:1 77-90.