Hairawn Muhly
(Muhlenbergia capillaris)
Hairawn Muhly (Muhlenbergia capillaris)
/
/
© Shawn Taylor
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
© Shawn Taylor
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: © Shawn Taylor | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Uploader: atlnature | Publisher: iNaturalist |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Muhlenbergia capillaris, commonly known as Hairawn Muhly or Pink Muhly Grass, is a perennial grass native to open woodlands, prairies, and coastal plains in eastern North America and Mexico to Guatemala. It typically grows 30–90 cm (0.98–2.95 ft) tall and 60–90 cm (2.0–3.0 ft) wide. Hairawn Muhly is a warm-season grass that begins growth in summer, with leaves that transition from green to a copper hue in fall. Its most striking feature is the delicate, feathery inflorescences that emerge in fall, creating a pink to purplish cloud-like effect atop the foliage. This grass is highly valued for its aesthetic appeal, particularly its showy flowers and seasonal color changes.
Hairawn Muhly is a versatile plant used in ornamental gardening for mass plantings, borders, and as an accent plant. It is drought-tolerant once established, making it suitable for xeriscaping and low-water-use landscapes. It thrives in a range of soil types, from sand to clay, as long as there is good drainage. While it prefers full sun, it can tolerate part shade. It is generally low-maintenance but can be susceptible to rust in humid conditions. Hairawn Muhly was voted the 2012 Plant of the Year by the Garden Club of America, reflecting its popularity and ornamental value.CC BY-SA 4.0
Hairawn Muhly is a versatile plant used in ornamental gardening for mass plantings, borders, and as an accent plant. It is drought-tolerant once established, making it suitable for xeriscaping and low-water-use landscapes. It thrives in a range of soil types, from sand to clay, as long as there is good drainage. While it prefers full sun, it can tolerate part shade. It is generally low-maintenance but can be susceptible to rust in humid conditions. Hairawn Muhly was voted the 2012 Plant of the Year by the Garden Club of America, reflecting its popularity and ornamental value.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Grass
- Height: 3-4 feet
- Width: 2-3 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Summer, Fall
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Low, Medium
- Drainage: Fast, Medium
Common Uses
Bird Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Erosion Control, Fire Resistant, Groundcover, Low Maintenance, Potted Plant, Salt Tolerant, Street Planting
Natural Habitat
Open woodlands, prairies, and coastal plains
Other Names
Common Names: Purple Grass , Long-Awn Hairgrass , Hairy-Awn Muhly , Yerba De Pelos , Rabo De Pavo Real
Scientific Names: Muhlenbergia capillaris , Muhlenbergia capillaris var. capillaris , Stipa capillaris , Muhlenbergia trichodes , Agrostis setosa , Muhlenbergia polypogon , Muhlenbergia trichodex , Podosemum agrostideum , Podosemum capillare , Stipa diffusa
GBIF Accepted Name: Muhlenbergia capillaris (Lam.) Trin.