It is native to North America, where it is widespread from British Columbia to Ontario in Canada and through the central and Great Lakes regions of the United States. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York. Copper colored plumes open in mid-September, turning into silver plumes which persist into the winter. Compare Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus' to our other The roots will The 'Porcupine' tolerates a wide … This species of grass can have its seeds entangled in sheep's hair while they are feeding, and once entangled it often works its way into the animal's skin. so much that we like to leave it standing until the new growth starts This cool-season grass is found growing on dry soils in prairies or open woods. in the spring (further info on dividing Qty: Add to Cart. See all 17 Varieties Miscanthus 'Variegatus' Handsome variegated maiden grass up to 5' … the tan foliage and spring bulbs. ... Schizachyrium scoparium, which is native to all 48 contiguous United States except Nevada and Oregon, and across Canada. Award-winner Porcupine Grass 'Strictus' (Miscanthus sinensis) is a very distinctive ornamental grass with its variegated foliage displaying unusual, horizontal, soft yellow rings along the gracefully arching leaves until it turns to pale brown in the fall. 'Oehme', Carex flagellifera, Porcupine Grass is an herbaceous perennial grass with an upright spreading habit of growth. spring, continuing until the new growth is about 18" tall; only 136228. [1][3][5], Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Information Network (NPIN) —, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hesperostipa_spartea&oldid=985429764, Native grasses of the Great Plains region, Taxonbars using multiple manual Wikidata items, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 25 October 2020, at 22:27. a wide range of soil types; moderately drought tolerant; holds up to This tough plant even thrives in urban and coastal areas! Size. When to cut back: we enjoy the foliage of Miscanthus Porcupine Grass Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus' Plant Details: Plant Type: Grass. [1] It is a bunchgrass species in the genus Hesperostipa. 1: 177. Ideal for large landscape gardens when planted beside water features, dry stream beds, rock outcroppings and huge landscape boulders. Add to Wish List Add to Compare. Description: warm season*; clump forming They also stick to animals, another vector of seed dispersal. Stiff-textured porcupine grass remains upright despite... As low as $12.99 More Info Qty. The 6- to 8-foot-tall clumps bear pinkish, coppery 8- to 10-inch-long plumes in late summer and fall which can be used for drying or as a dye plant and persist into the winter. was $29.77. Blooming late in summer the silvery tasseled tops add winter interest and make great cut flowers. Porcupine Grass. × New and Unread Tree-Mails. A small group went to Wind River; possibly synonymous with Hukundüka or Hukan-deka (Porcupine Grass Seed Eaters, Wild Wheat Eaters). It is a source Improved habit to this more upright form; not as relaxed and vase-shaped as 'Zebrinus'. grasses in this handy chart. Blue Oat Grass. Before it will show signs of life in the spring, the soil must warm up, and be warm for possibly as long as two weeks. Being stiff, foliage of porcupine grass grows upright, while that of zebra grass arches down. plant, massing, by the water, arrangements, When divide: when it shows signs of life in the Zebra grass also has stunning variegated leaves with creamy golden stripes that cut horizontally across the otherwise green blades of grass. Clump forming with very tight growth habit. Recommended spacing between plants: 90-150 cm (36-60") When to plant or transplant: plant bare root plants only in late spring to early summer, when the soil is warm, about the same time you plant your bean or corn seeds. When the fruit is mature, the long, sharp awns reduce the palatability of the grass. Each specimen will take up about four square feet of real estate when it is mature, so plan ahead when designing with this perennial grass. It can reach over a metre in height. Narrow bright green blades have bright creamy yellow colored variegation in horizontal bands. The culms are mostly erect, but they usually lean over to one side after the blooming period because of the heavy weight of the developing spikelets. Also known as Japanese Silver Grass, there are many selections now available, all providing a wonderful fall display of showy plumes, and remaining attractive all winter. Some quills can get up to a foot (30 centimeters) long, like those on the Africa's crested porcupine, according to National Geographic. Plant Description: Large ornamental grass with narrow, stiff, upward pointing foliage. This grass produces large seeds that are as sharp as porcupine quills, so take care when handling! Pronunciation: Miscanthus (mis-KAN-thus) sinensis (sin-EN-sis). 175-200 cm (70-80") in height Porcupine grass is moderately drought-tolerant and grows well in soil warmed to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Porcupine Grass is adaptable to any soil, but prefers a moist, well-drained soil. Porcupine Grass (Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus') is a statement piece with its spikey, upright habit and banded green and gold leaves. Zebra Grass is an herbaceous perennial grass with a shapely form and gracefully arching stems. It can also be a long-term component of climax grassland and prairie. In Alberta it is codominant with rough fescue on the grasslands. Each fruit has a very long, twisted awn, reaching up to 19 centimetres (7.5 inches) in length. Height: 4'-7' The most obvious trait is the long, sharp quills that cover their bodies. Zebra grass is a favorite among the ornamental grasses and with good reason. The common name refers to its long needles, which apparently resemble the spines of a porcupine, though I think the needle-like fruit best resembles a six- to seven-inch spear. [2], Hesperostipa spartea is native to the Great Plains and Canadian Prairies of North America. Porcupine Grass has a distinctive, neat upright growth habit with green leaves distinctively marked by a horizontal yellow stripe. This variety has large soft-pink flowers over an upright clump of green leaves, uniquely banded with yellow. Provided by Kentucky Native Plant Society. The roots are known to reach 1.8 metres (5.9 feet) deep into the soil. Hesperostipa spartea, formerly Stipa spartea, is a species of grass known by the common names porcupine grass, western porcupine grass, short-awn porcupine grass, porcupine needlegrass, and big needlegrass. crown of the plant. grasses). Be the first to review this product . [3] As the grass expands or contracts according to the temperature and moisture conditions, the awns twist or untwist to eventually drill the seeds into the soil – a phenomenon known as geocarpy. Green foliage is highlighted by dramatic horizontal golden bands. It can genuinely be a miserable experience to hike through a prairie full of Porcupine Grass when it is shedding its seed. [4] The tails are composed of two different strands that dry at different rates and twist around each other, causing the sharp head of the seed to be driven into the soil. Vol. grasses). Planting too early in the spring may cause the why such a difference? curtiseta). It may be a pioneer species or a climax species, occurring in all stages of ecological succession. [1], This perennial bunchgrass is similar to needle-and-thread grass, but it has longer, wider, paler leaves. It is a bunchgrass species in the genus Hesperostipa. Porcupine grass or the Miscanthus sinensis ‘Strictus’, is an ornamental grass type. The awns containing several seeds may tangle together and the mass is blown away from the parent plant on the wind. Poke, poke, poke! wind and snow, Zone: 5 - 9, possibly colder Reddish-bronze flowers top off this large perennial at up to 9' tall during late summer and fall. In other areas it may be codominant with little bluestem. In early fall, more and mor… for possibly as long as two weeks. [2] It is also found in grasslands of the Rocky Mountains in Western Canada and the Western United States. This unique foliage bears horizontal golden bands, which some say resemble porcupine quills. 3 vols. *a warm season grass likes to grow in warm weather. This grass is not ideal for livestock but it is generally palatable, especially in the spring. (find your zone; further info on plant hardiness), Suggested uses: specimen, border, screen, hedge, background Plant Family: Poaceae. [1], Hesperostipa spartea is cultivated as an ornamental grass for native plant gardens and natural landscaping, and as a plant for Great Plains—Prairie habitat restoration. Close × Share This Page. Can be used as a specimen, massing or screening. roots to rot. They make shake them, which makes them rattle, as a warning to potential predators. *a warm season grass likes to grow in warm weather. It is also valuable in the fall when it remains green as other grasses dry out. Native to: Miscanthus sinensis is native to marshes, Porcupine maiden grass (Miscanthus sinensis ‘Strictus’) is a member of the Miscanthus family of graceful arching grasses. The procedure for growing this grass is different, and so is caring for it. Flowers mid-Sept through frost; 200-250 cm (80-100"), Ideal conditions: full sun; moist fertile soil; tolerates Deschampsia, We also like the combination of Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition. slopes, mountainsides of Eastern Asia and west to Africa. Typical habitats of Stipa spartea incluude dry black soil prairies, sand prairies, upland savannas, and pastures. Needle & Thread Grass (Hesperostipa comata ssp. Porcupine Grass is a cool-season grass, meaning it actively grows during the spring and fall when soil temperatures are cool. Order today before they sell out! Silvery white plumes rise high above the foliage in fall. Description: This perennial grass forms low basal leaves and small tufts of leafy culms about 2½â€“3½' tall. grow only in warm soil. to appear, possibly as late as May. (find your zone; further info on plant hardiness), (further info on dividing [4], Native Americans such as the Omaha and Pawnee made brushes from this plant by tying the awns together and burning off the sharp seeds at the ends. Plant database entry for Porcupine Grass (Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus') with 19 images, 3 comments, and 26 data details. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition. As low as $19.77. Inula racemosa 'Sonnenspeer', Before it will Partner with: Carex muskingumensis This hardy grass is deer, pest, and disease resistant and rabbit, pollution, and salt tolerant! Also great for narrow areas near gates or corners. The leaf blades of porcupine grass are narrower and stiffer than that of zebra grass. Porcupine is a tall columnar grass that will serve as a strong vertical corner for perennial borders. Medium-green foliage with horizontal gold-bands. Cooler soil can impair growth or cause rotting. Fits well into small planters in courtyards too. [1], Hesperostipa spartea has a bunchgrass foliage mass of 3–6 feet (0.91–1.83 m) in diameter [4] The flower stalks are upright and arching, yellow, in late Spring.[4]. The foliage is green with yellow stripes throughout. This is a dense grass that out-competes weeds in the landscape. This grass produces large seeds that are as sharp as porcupine quills, so take care when handling! Cut back to about 6" from the Zebra grass may flop over, especially during rains and heavy winds. Holds it’s stiff leaves erect like porcupine quills. The inflorescence is a panicle of spikelets. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. of the plant. Porcupine Grass is an herbaceous perennial grass with an upright spreading habit of growth. Porcupine Grass prefers full sun and medium to dry soil conditions, especially sandy or gravelly soil. [2], This grass is common and is a dominant grass in various prairie and grassland ecosystems in the Great Plains. Just behind the sharp, needle-like tip, is a collar of long thick hairs that face backward, preventing the seeds from working their way back out of the soil. Even the stalks of zebra grass are flexible and arch towards the ground, as they reach full size. Porcupine grass (Hesperostipa spartea, previously known as Stipa spartea, for anyone who cares) is a particularly fun and interesting plant because of its fascinating seed. In 1873, the three major Bannock Creek bands (Chief Pocatello, with 101 people; San Pitch, with 124; and Sagwitch, with 158) moved to the reservation at Fort Hall. Starting at $2.50 USD If that doesn't work, they may charge backwards into the predator. Scanned by Omnitek Inc. Usage Requirements. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition. Porcupine Grass known by the botanical name Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus' is an upright clump forming grass with attractive foliage. Availability: In stock. Details. Just like plants, different grasses need different types of treatment. All porcupines have a few traits in common. The seeds are needle-like with sharp tips and long tails. Patrinia gibbosa, Helianthus decapetalus 'Triomphe de Grand', Season of interest: July till spring; will likely remain standing all winter, Drought tolerance rating: 3 (water to root depth once a week); further info. Compare Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus' to our other grasses in this handy chart. to establish before the cold and wet of winter, resulting in the demise To the southwest, dominance of the grassland community shifts to needle-and-thread ( Stipa comata ), blue grama ( Bouteloua gracilis ), and western wheatgrass ( Agropyron smithii ). Porcupines use the quills as a defense. comata) • Characteristics awns • Very drought tolerant • Widely adapted to sandy and poor soils. This unique species got its name from the needle-like seeds, which grow with a long fiber attached to one end. The Grass 'Porcupine', Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus', has green leaves with cream colored horizontal bands. More ornamental grasses . Blue oat grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens, Avena candida) grows to about 3 to 6 … Moist Mixed Grassland on loamy soil is dominated by northern wheatgrass (Agropyron dasystachyum) and western porcupine grass (Stipa spartea var. Porcupine Grass, Miscanthus sinensis 'Strictus' doesn't … Porcupine Grass: USDA Zone: 5-9: Plant number: 8.270.400. Hesperostipa spartea, formerly Stipa spartea, is a species of grass known by the common names porcupine grass, western porcupine grass, short-awn porcupine grass, porcupine needlegrass, and big needlegrass. It is considered to be very attractive because of the golden-colored designs its on leaves. Foliage is green with yellow bands; blade width is 1 cm (3/8"); It thrives on poor soils and it can invade disturbed habitat such as gopher mounds. These leaves make this ornamental grass stand out anywhere! It is an ornamental upright grass with golden banding on the blades as if it was always in a dappled pool of light. 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