General Landscape Uses:
Accent grass or groundcover. Wildflower gardens.
Availability:
Widely cultivated. Available in Boynton Beach at
Sustaincape Florida (561-245-5305), in Lake Worth at
Indian Trails Native Nursery (561-641-9488) and at
Amelia's SmartyPlants (561-540-6296).
Description: Medium to large herbaceous grass with wiry leaves.
Dimensions: 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.
Map of select IRC data from peninsular Florida.
Map of suggested ZIP codes north to Indian River and Manatee counties.
Map of ZIP codes with habitat recommendations north to Martin and Charlotte counties.
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: Secondary line; tolerates significant salt wind without injury, but usually is somewhat protected.
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.
References: Nelson 2003
Comments: See also the Florida Wildflower Foundation's
Flower Friday page.
