Water Whorl-Grass
(Catabrosa aquatica)
Water Whorl-Grass (Catabrosa aquatica)
/
/

Roman
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Roman
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Roman | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Roman | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2021-05-16T19:19Z |

























Estimated Native Range
Summary
Catabrosa aquatica, commonly known as Water Whorl-grass or Brookgrass, is a perennial semi-aquatic grass native to temperate and cool regions of the Northern Hemisphere, as well as southern Chile and Argentina. It thrives in a variety of wet habitats, including wet meadows, stream banks, and lake shores. This grass typically forms dense, bright green tufts and reaches a height of 10-100 cm. Its inflorescence is a loose, open panicle that blooms in the summer, with small, pale green to purplish flowers that are not particularly showy. The plant’s foliage remains attractive throughout the growing season.
Water Whorl-grass is valued for its ability to stabilize soil and prevent erosion in riparian zones. It is often used in wetland restoration projects and can be a component of "rain gardens" designed to manage stormwater runoff. In cultivation, it requires consistently moist to wet soil conditions and can grow in full sun to part shade. While it is not drought-tolerant, it can withstand temporary flooding and is generally low-maintenance. There are no significant disease or pest issues associated with Catabrosa aquatica, but it can become invasive if not managed properly in garden settings.CC BY-SA 4.0
Water Whorl-grass is valued for its ability to stabilize soil and prevent erosion in riparian zones. It is often used in wetland restoration projects and can be a component of "rain gardens" designed to manage stormwater runoff. In cultivation, it requires consistently moist to wet soil conditions and can grow in full sun to part shade. While it is not drought-tolerant, it can withstand temporary flooding and is generally low-maintenance. There are no significant disease or pest issues associated with Catabrosa aquatica, but it can become invasive if not managed properly in garden settings.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Grass
- Height: 1.5-2.5 feet
- Width: 1-2 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Summer, Fall
- Leaf Retention: Semi-deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Aquatic
- Drainage: Slow, Standing
Common Uses
Erosion Control, Low Maintenance, Water Garden
Natural Habitat
Temperate and cool regions of the Northern Hemisphere, wet meadows, stream banks, and lake shores
Other Names
Common Names: Water Whorl-grass, Water Meadow-grass
Scientific Names: , Catabrosa aquatica, Agrostis tillieri, Agrostis tillieri, Aira aquatica, Aira aquatica var. duplicata, Aira aquatica var. multiplicata, Aira aquatica var. ochroleuca, Aira scabra, Aira viridula
GBIF Accepted Name: