Scientific Family
Poaceae
Synonyms
Muhlenbergia trifida
Plant type
Grasses
Riparian
No
Grass Description
Origin
Native
Season
Cool
Warm
Rocky slopes and ledges, often in woodland and forest openings.
Plant Community
Montane Conifer Forest
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Low elevation
4500
High elevation
9500
General Description
A dense-growing, moderately large bunchgrass, usually about 24 inches tall.
Tufted perennial grass without rhizomes, leaves mostly basal; seedheads narrow, branches flowered from the base; awns at least 1/2 inch long; second glume 3-toothed; leaves mostly basal.
Grass type
Perennial bunchgrass
Rhizomes
No
Stolons
No
Clump Diameter 2 ft or more
No
Bushy - highly branched
No
Height with Seedheads
24 inches or more
Seedhead Structure
Branched - contracted
Seedhead droops
No
First bloom month
July
Last bloom month
November
Flower Characteristics
Flowers per Spikelet
One-flowered
Spikelets One-Sided
No
Awns
1/4 inch to 1 inch
Three Awns
No
Awns bent
Yes
Flower and Seedhead Notes
Seedhead narrow but rather loose, branches ascending or appressed, floriferous from the base. Spikelet stems are shorter than the spikelets. Glumes unequal, 1st usually 1-nerved and pointed 2nd glume broader, 3-nerved and 3-toothed near the tip.
Vegetative Characteristics
Blade is hairy
Yes
Blade margins white
No
Blade cross-section
Flat
Involute – rolled inward on upper surface
Blades 3-1/2 to 10 inches long, to 1/8 inch wide, flat, becoming involute, roughened with stout projections below, with straight rather stiff hairs above.
Sheath is hairy
No
Tufts of hair top of sheath or collar
No
Ligule
Membranous
Auricles
No
Good.