Common Bottlebrush Grass
Elymus hystrix is a clump forming cool season perennial grass and is among the most shade tolerant native grasses. Plants form loose upright tufts of rough textured bright green blades. In summer, pale green bottlebrush like inflorescences are displayed above the foliage. As seed matures the attractive spikelets develop a straw color. The delightful bottlebrush shaped inflorescences provide grain-like seed to birds and small rodents. Grazing animals feed on the foliage early in the season. Later in the year, browsers may be put off by the bristly flowers. Seed heads can also become infested with the fungus ergot which is toxic to livestock. Caterpillars of Northern Pearly Eye butterfly feed on the foliage. [Adapted from New Moon Nursery]
Plant Photo: "Bottlebrush grass (Elymus hystrix)" by Toni Genberg is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 | Butterfly Photo: "N pearly eye, Enodia anthedon - dorsal view" by ottawacountyparks is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.
Larval Host for the
Northern Pearly Eye butterfly
2-4'
1-4'
SIZE
SOIL
Dry, Clay, Loam, Sandy, Well-Drained, Moist
LIGHT
Part Shade, Shade
BENEFITS
Butterflies, Songbirds, Small Mammals, Moths
NOTES
Good for erosion control. May become dormant in summer heat.
CHARACTERISTICS
Drought tolerant, Interesting Seed Pods, Will Naturalize, Showy, Good Cut Flower, Tolerates Black Walnut, Low Maintenance
July, August, September
Grass
This
flowers in
Eastern Bottlebrush Grass
Elymus hystrix
DETAIL VIEW
DESCRIPTION
Elymus hystrix is a clump forming cool season perennial grass and is among the most shade tolerant native grasses. Plants form loose upright tufts of rough textured bright green blades. In summer, pale green bottlebrush like inflorescences are displayed above the foliage. As seed matures the attractive spikelets develop a straw color. The delightful bottlebrush shaped inflorescences provide grain-like seed to birds and small rodents. Grazing animals feed on the foliage early in the season. Later in the year, browsers may be put off by the bristly flowers. Seed heads can also become infested with the fungus ergot which is toxic to livestock. Caterpillars of Northern Pearly Eye butterfly feed on the foliage. [Adapted from New Moon Nursery]
Plant Photo: "Bottlebrush grass (Elymus hystrix)" by Toni Genberg is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 | Butterfly Photo: "N pearly eye, Enodia anthedon - dorsal view" by ottawacountyparks is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.