Western Wetland Flora
Field Office Guide to Plant Species
Muhlenbergia asperifolia (Nees & Meyer ex Trin.) Par
- Family: Grass (Gramineae)
- Flowering: July-September
- Field Marks: The genus Muhlenbergia is distinguished by its stalked, 1-flowered spikelets with a 3-nerved lemma. This species may be recognized by its open panicles and awnless glumes.
- Habitat: Damp meadows, around ponds, along streams, alkaline flats, disturbed areas.
- Habit: Perennial grass with elongated, scaly rhizomes.
- Stems: Upright, branched, up to 18 inches tall, smooth, somewhat flattened.
- Leaves: Narrow, elongated, flat, up to 1/8 inch wide, usually rough to the touch; sheaths smooth.
- Flowers: Borne in 1-flowered spikelets; spikelets several in open panicles at the tips of thread-like branches; panicle up to 10 inches long; spikelets up to 1/12 inch long; glumes awnless.
- Sepals: 0.
- Petals: 0.
- Stamens: 3.
- Pistils: Ovary superior.
- Grains: Smooth, about 1/20 inch long.
- Notes: This species, sometimes known as scratchgrass, may invade lawns.
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