Landscape Uses:
	Accent grass or groundcover. Wildflower gardens.
Ecological Restoration Notes:
Availability:
	Widely cultivated. Available in Boynton Beach at Sustaincape Florida, in Lake Worth at Indian Trails Native Nursery and at Amelia's SmartyPlants, and in Naples at Everglades Native Designs.
Description:
	Medium to large herbaceous grass with wiry leaves.
Height:
	Typically 2-3 feet in height; to 5 feet when in flower. About as broad as tall, except when in flower.
Growth Rate:
	Moderate.
Range:
	Widespread in much of eastern and central North America south to the Monroe County Keys; West Indies, Mexico and Central America. Rare in the Monroe County Keys, very rare in the upper Keys and very rare or absent in the middle Keys.
Habitats:
	Pinelands, marl prairies and marshes.
Soils:
	Wet to moist, seasonally inundated freshwater or brackish soils, without humus.
Nutritional Requirements:
	Low to moderate; it can grow in nutrient poor soils or soils with some organic content.
Salt Water Tolerance:
	Moderate; tolerates brackish water or occasional inundation by salt water.
Salt Wind Tolerance:
	High; can tolerate moderate amounts of salt wind without significant injury.
Drought Tolerance:
	Moderate; generally requires moist soils, but tolerant of short periods of drought once established.
Light Requirements:
	Full sun to light shade.
Flower Color:
	Purple inflorescence.
Flower Characteristics:
	Showy when at peak.
Flowering Season:
	Summer-winter; peak in fall.
Fruit:
	Inconspicuous caryopsis.
Wildlife and Ecology:
	Provides excellent cover for small wildlife.
Horticultural Notes:
	Can be grown from seed or divisions.
Comments:
	See also the Florida Wildflower Foundation's Flower Friday page.