Nassella leucotricha, commonly known as Texas wintergrass, Texas needlegrass, or Texas tussockgrass, is a perennial bunchgrass native to prairies, open woodlands, and grasslands of the south-central United States and northern Mexico. It typically grows up to 3.9 feet tall and forms dense tufts. The plant is characterized by its narrow, wiry leaves and produces fruit with a sharp tip and a twisted awn up to 3.6 inches long, which can adhere to animal fur and clothing. The flowering season occurs in spring, and the flowers are not particularly showy but are noticeable due to their height above the foliage.

Texas wintergrass is valued for its drought tolerance and ability to thrive in poor soils, making it a suitable choice for xeriscaping and naturalistic plantings. It provides good forage when green and can be used for erosion control due to its bunching growth habit. However, care should be taken as the seeds can be injurious to livestock due to the sharp tips. In cultivation, it requires minimal maintenance, thriving in full sun to part shade and in well-drained soils. It is not commonly affected by diseases but can become a nuisance if allowed to self-seed prolifically.CC BY-SA 4.0