Piptatherum miliaceum, commonly known as smilograss, is a perennial grass native to Eurasia’s open woodlands and grasslands. It has been introduced to various regions worldwide, where it often appears in disturbed areas such as roadsides and waste places. Smilograss typically grows to a height of 1-3 feet (0.3-0.9 meters) and has a clumping form. It produces narrow, elongated panicles of small, pale green to purplish flowers in the summer, which are not particularly showy but can add a fine texture to the garden landscape.

Smilograss is valued for its drought tolerance and ability to thrive in poor soils, making it suitable for erosion control and as a low-maintenance ornamental grass in xeriscaping. It prefers full sun to light shade and requires well-drained soil. While it is not commonly used in gardens, it can be utilized in naturalized areas or as a filler in mixed borders. Care should be taken when planting smilograss outside its native range, as it can become invasive and outcompete native vegetation.CC BY-SA 4.0