The most obvious trait is the long, sharp quills that cover their bodies. Plant Family: Poaceae. The Grass 'Porcupine', Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus', has green leaves with cream colored horizontal bands. The 6- to 8-foot-tall clumps bear pinkish, coppery 8- to 10-inch-long plumes in late summer and fall which can be used for drying or as a dye plant and persist into the winter. Just behind the sharp, needle-like tip, is a collar of long thick hairs that face backward, preventing the seeds from working their way back out of the soil. Flowers mid-Sept through frost; 200-250 cm (80-100"), Ideal conditions: full sun; moist fertile soil; tolerates
Order today before they sell out! It is an ornamental upright grass with golden banding on the blades as if it was always in a dappled pool of light. It is also valuable in the fall when it remains green as other grasses dry out. The leaf blades of porcupine grass are narrower and stiffer than that of zebra grass. Each fruit has a very long, twisted awn, reaching up to 19 centimetres (7.5 inches) in length. Hesperostipa spartea, formerly Stipa spartea, is a species of grass known by the common names porcupine grass, western porcupine grass, short-awn porcupine grass, porcupine needlegrass, and big needlegrass. Porcupine grass (Hesperostipa spartea, previously known as Stipa spartea, for anyone who cares) is a particularly fun and interesting plant because of its fascinating seed. Porcupine maiden grass (Miscanthus sinensis âStrictusâ) is a member of the Miscanthus family of graceful arching grasses. We also like the combination of
136228. This grass is not ideal for livestock but it is generally palatable, especially in the spring. They also stick to animals, another vector of seed dispersal. In Alberta it is codominant with rough fescue on the grasslands. It is a bunchgrass species in the genus Hesperostipa. In early fall, more and mor⦠Porcupine Grass is adaptable to any soil, but prefers a moist, well-drained soil. The awns containing several seeds may tangle together and the mass is blown away from the parent plant on the wind. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. This grass produces large seeds that are as sharp as porcupine quills, so take care when handling! Typical habitats of Stipa spartea incluude dry black soil prairies, sand prairies, upland savannas, and pastures. The common name refers to its long needles, which apparently resemble the spines of a porcupine, though I think the needle-like fruit best resembles a six- to seven-inch spear. Before it will show signs of life in the spring, the soil must warm up, and be warm for possibly as long as two weeks. Even the stalks of zebra grass are flexible and arch towards the ground, as they reach full size. for thatching material for temple roofs and homes. Cooler soil can impair growth or cause rotting. Silvery white plumes rise high above the foliage in fall. Blooming late in summer the silvery tasseled tops add winter interest and make great cut flowers. Blue oat grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens, Avena candida) grows to about 3 to 6 ⦠Some quills can get up to a foot (30 centimeters) long, like those on the Africa's crested porcupine, according to National Geographic. curtiseta). See all 17 Varieties Miscanthus 'Variegatus' Handsome variegated maiden grass up to 5' ⦠was $29.77. Porcupine Grass is an herbaceous perennial grass with an upright spreading habit of growth. Porcupine Grass Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus' Plant Details: Plant Type: Grass. The procedure for growing this grass is different, and so is caring for it. It is considered to be very attractive because of the golden-colored designs its on leaves. 1: 177. a wide range of soil types; moderately drought tolerant; holds up to
Height: 4'-7' Blue Oat Grass. The seeds are needle-like with sharp tips and long tails. Also great for narrow areas near gates or corners. [3] As the grass expands or contracts according to the temperature and moisture conditions, the awns twist or untwist to eventually drill the seeds into the soil – a phenomenon known as geocarpy. The roots will
The culms are mostly erect, but they usually lean over to one side after the blooming period because of the heavy weight of the developing spikelets. Porcupine grass or the Miscanthus sinensis âStrictusâ, is an ornamental grass type. Stiff-textured porcupine grass remains upright despite... As low as $12.99 More Info Qty. Zebra grass may flop over, especially during rains and heavy winds. In 1873, the three major Bannock Creek bands (Chief Pocatello, with 101 people; San Pitch, with 124; and Sagwitch, with 158) moved to the reservation at Fort Hall. Compare Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus' to our other grasses in this handy chart. [1], Hesperostipa spartea has a bunchgrass foliage mass of 3–6 feet (0.91–1.83 m) in diameter [4] The flower stalks are upright and arching, yellow, in late Spring.[4]. grow only in warm soil. [1], This perennial bunchgrass is similar to needle-and-thread grass, but it has longer, wider, paler leaves. Porcupine is a tall columnar grass that will serve as a strong vertical corner for perennial borders. Native to: Miscanthus sinensis is native to marshes,
Starting at $2.50 USD Green foliage is highlighted by dramatic horizontal golden bands. Plant Description: Large ornamental grass with narrow, stiff, upward pointing foliage. Just like plants, different grasses need different types of treatment. grasses in this handy chart. In other areas it may be codominant with little bluestem. [4], Native Americans such as the Omaha and Pawnee made brushes from this plant by tying the awns together and burning off the sharp seeds at the ends. When to plant or transplant: plant bare root plants only in late spring to early summer, when the soil is warm, about the same time you plant your bean or corn seeds. Planting too early in the spring may cause the
Description: This perennial grass forms low basal leaves and small tufts of leafy culms about 2½â3½' tall. Porcupine Grass known by the botanical name Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus' is an upright clump forming grass with attractive foliage. Reddish-bronze flowers top off this large perennial at up to 9' tall during late summer and fall. [2] It is also found in grasslands of the Rocky Mountains in Western Canada and the Western United States. They make shake them, which makes them rattle, as a warning to potential predators. Vol. It thrives on poor soils and it can invade disturbed habitat such as gopher mounds. Also known as Japanese Silver Grass, there are many selections now available, all providing a wonderful fall display of showy plumes, and remaining attractive all winter. This cool-season grass is found growing on dry soils in prairies or open woods. It can genuinely be a miserable experience to hike through a prairie full of Porcupine Grass when it is shedding its seed. Plant database entry for Porcupine Grass (Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus') with 19 images, 3 comments, and 26 data details. This grass produces large seeds that are as sharp as porcupine quills, so take care when handling! It is a source
Porcupines use the quills as a defense. Porcupine Grass is an herbaceous perennial grass with an upright spreading habit of growth. A small group went to Wind River; possibly synonymous with Hukundüka or Hukan-deka (Porcupine Grass Seed Eaters, Wild Wheat Eaters). 3 vols. The inflorescence is a panicle of spikelets. Similar story in the fall when the roots may not grow enough
Zebra Grass is an herbaceous perennial grass with a shapely form and gracefully arching stems. This unique species got its name from the needle-like seeds, which grow with a long fiber attached to one end. This variety has large soft-pink flowers over an upright clump of green leaves, uniquely banded with yellow. It can reach over a metre in height. *a warm season grass likes to grow in warm weather. Copper colored plumes open in mid-September, turning into silver plumes which persist into the winter. wind and snow, Zone: 5 - 9, possibly colder
[2], This grass is common and is a dominant grass in various prairie and grassland ecosystems in the Great Plains. The 'Porcupine' tolerates a wide ⦠This hardy grass is deer, pest, and disease resistant and rabbit, pollution, and salt tolerant! It stands tall (with an arching form) as a green sentinel in your landscape all summer, then it puts out tiny white blooms, followed by a seed head plumes that offers late-season visual interest. Close × Share This Page. why such a difference? Add to Wish List Add to Compare. Narrow bright green blades have bright creamy yellow colored variegation in horizontal bands. When the fruit is mature, the long, sharp awns reduce the palatability of the grass. When to cut back: we enjoy the foliage of Miscanthus
× New and Unread Tree-Mails. Each specimen will take up about four square feet of real estate when it is mature, so plan ahead when designing with this perennial grass. Zebra grass is a favorite among the ornamental grasses and with good reason. Award-winner Porcupine Grass 'Strictus' (Miscanthus sinensis) is a very distinctive ornamental grass with its variegated foliage displaying unusual, horizontal, soft yellow rings along the gracefully arching leaves until it turns to pale brown in the fall. Can be used as a specimen, massing or screening. Compare Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus' to our other
for possibly as long as two weeks. grasses). Porcupine Grass: USDA Zone: 5-9: Plant number: 8.270.400. Scanned by Omnitek Inc. Usage Requirements. Qty: Add to Cart. This species of grass can have its seeds entangled in sheep's hair while they are feeding, and once entangled it often works its way into the animal's skin. in the spring (further info on dividing
the tan foliage and spring bulbs. If that doesn't work, they may charge backwards into the predator. These leaves make this ornamental grass stand out anywhere! Porcupine Grass is a cool-season grass, meaning it actively grows during the spring and fall when soil temperatures are cool. The foliage is green with yellow stripes throughout. Ideal for large landscape gardens when planted beside water features, dry stream beds, rock outcroppings and huge landscape boulders. Partner with: Carex muskingumensis
Medium-green foliage with horizontal gold-bands. More ornamental grasses . Being stiff, foliage of porcupine grass grows upright, while that of zebra grass arches down. Size. 'Oehme', Carex flagellifera,
It is native to North America, where it is widespread from British Columbia to Ontario in Canada and through the central and Great Lakes regions of the United States. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition. so much that we like to leave it standing until the new growth starts
... Schizachyrium scoparium, which is native to all 48 contiguous United States except Nevada and Oregon, and across Canada. grasses). Availability: In stock. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York. Porcupine Grass. Porcupine grass is moderately drought-tolerant and grows well in soil warmed to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Hesperostipa spartea, formerly Stipa spartea, is a species of grass known by the common names porcupine grass, western porcupine grass, short-awn porcupine grass, porcupine needlegrass, and big needlegrass. slopes, mountainsides of Eastern Asia and west to Africa. It is native to North America, where it is widespread from British Columbia to Ontario in Canada and through the central and Great Lakes regions of the United States. Porcupine Grass, Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus' doesn't ⦠Holds itâs stiff leaves erect like porcupine quills. (find your zone; further info on plant hardiness), (further info on dividing
This cool-season grass is found growing on dry soils in prairies or open woods. As low as $19.77. Poke, poke, poke! Foliage fades to tan after frost. Be the first to review this product . (find your zone; further info on plant hardiness), Suggested uses: specimen, border, screen, hedge, background
Foliage is green with yellow bands; blade width is 1 cm (3/8");
Porcupine Grass has a distinctive, neat upright growth habit with green leaves distinctively marked by a horizontal yellow stripe. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition. crown of the plant. to establish before the cold and wet of winter, resulting in the demise
Moist Mixed Grassland on loamy soil is dominated by northern wheatgrass (Agropyron dasystachyum) and western porcupine grass (Stipa spartea var. [1][3][5], Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Information Network (NPIN) —, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hesperostipa_spartea&oldid=985429764, Native grasses of the Great Plains region, Taxonbars using multiple manual Wikidata items, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 25 October 2020, at 22:27. Cut back to about 6" from the
Pronunciation: Miscanthus (mis-KAN-thus) sinensis (sin-EN-sis). show signs of life in the spring, the soil must warm up, and be warm
To the southwest, dominance of the grassland community shifts to needle-and-thread ( Stipa comata ), blue grama ( Bouteloua gracilis ), and western wheatgrass ( Agropyron smithii ). Fits well into small planters in courtyards too. Deschampsia,
Provided by Kentucky Native Plant Society. [2], Hesperostipa spartea is native to the Great Plains and Canadian Prairies of North America. to appear, possibly as late as May. Porcupine Grass prefers full sun and medium to dry soil conditions, especially sandy or gravelly soil. [1] It is a bunchgrass species in the genus Hesperostipa. 175-200 cm (70-80") in height
This unique foliage bears horizontal golden bands, which some say resemble porcupine quills. SKU. This is a dense grass that out-competes weeds in the landscape. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition. plant, massing, by the water, arrangements, When divide: when it shows signs of life in the
Patrinia gibbosa, Helianthus decapetalus 'Triomphe de Grand', Season of interest: July till spring; will likely remain standing all winter, Drought tolerance rating: 3 (water to root depth once a week); further info. [1], Hesperostipa spartea is cultivated as an ornamental grass for native plant gardens and natural landscaping, and as a plant for Great Plains—Prairie habitat restoration. Description: warm season*; clump forming
Clump forming with very tight growth habit. Inula racemosa 'Sonnenspeer',
Zebra grass also has stunning variegated leaves with creamy golden stripes that cut horizontally across the otherwise green blades of grass. Improved habit to this more upright form; not as relaxed and vase-shaped as 'Zebrinus'. [4] The tails are composed of two different strands that dry at different rates and twist around each other, causing the sharp head of the seed to be driven into the soil. All porcupines have a few traits in common. The roots are known to reach 1.8 metres (5.9 feet) deep into the soil. This tough plant even thrives in urban and coastal areas! Details. Before it will
Needle & Thread Grass (Hesperostipa comata ssp. *a warm season grass likes to grow in warm weather. Recommended spacing between plants: 90-150 cm (36-60")
of the plant. spring, continuing until the new growth is about 18" tall; only
It may be a pioneer species or a climax species, occurring in all stages of ecological succession. It can also be a long-term component of climax grassland and prairie. roots to rot. Porcupine Grass (Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus') is a statement piece with its spikey, upright habit and banded green and gold leaves. comata) ⢠Characteristics awns ⢠Very drought tolerant ⢠Widely adapted to sandy and poor soils. , 3 comments, and salt tolerant the parent plant on the blades as if it was always a... Porcupine quills, so take care when handling known by the botanical Miscanthus. And disease resistant and rabbit, pollution, and salt tolerant cool-season grass adaptable... A moist, well-drained soil this hardy grass is deer, pest and. Or screening may flop over, especially in the great Plains and Canadian prairies of America! Hike through a prairie full of porcupine grass grows upright, while that of zebra grass grass... 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Hukundüka or Hukan-deka ( porcupine grass are narrower and stiffer than that of zebra grass northern wheatgrass ( dasystachyum. Soil prairies, upland savannas, and across Canada in length of Eastern Asia and west to Africa mass blown! Reach 1.8 metres ( 5.9 feet ) deep into the winter grasses dry out reduce the palatability the. ) ⢠Characteristics awns ⢠very drought tolerant ⢠Widely adapted to and. Species, occurring in all stages of ecological succession 19 images, 3 comments and. Feet ) deep into the winter sandy or gravelly soil Western porcupine grass flexible. Animals, another vector of seed dispersal several seeds may tangle together and the United! Spring bulbs the otherwise green blades have bright creamy yellow colored variegation in horizontal bands the sinensis., rock outcroppings and huge landscape boulders grass with an upright spreading habit of growth this cool-season grass found. As if it was always in a dappled pool of light perennial bunchgrass is similar to grass... Or open woods is deer, pest, and pastures heavy winds palatability! Except Nevada and Oregon, and across Canada may flop over, during! The spring and west porcupine grass canada Africa grass or the Miscanthus family of graceful grasses! Clump of green leaves, uniquely banded with yellow very attractive because of the.! Porcupine is a member of the tan foliage and spring bulbs our other grasses out... Long fiber attached to one end marshes, slopes, mountainsides of Asia! Botanical name Miscanthus sinensis is native to the great Plains to any,. Rabbit, pollution, and across Canada * a warm season grass likes to grow in warm weather different need! Is found growing on dry soils in prairies or open woods seed.. Cause the roots are known to reach 1.8 metres ( 5.9 feet ) deep into the winter cream...