Deschampsia flexuosa
Wavy Hairgrass
General
A delicate, cool season, bunchgrass native to North America, Europe, and Asia. It features fine, arching stems with narrow, wiry leaves and airy panicles of small, delicate flowers that appear in summer. Wavy hairgrass thrives in a variety of habitats including woodlands, heathlands, and rocky slopes, contributing to natural landscapes with its graceful and wispy appearance. Prefers dry and sandy soils. Excellent for restoration sites with shady, thin soils.
Plant Description
Grows in a dense clump usually under 2' tall. Panicle inflorescences with spikelets. Foliage is usually dark green, with the spikelet flowers being golden brown or slightly purple tinged as they mature. Foliage and flowers will likely remain well into the winter.
Height (ft)
1-2'
Soil moisture
Medium
Soil types
Acidic, Well Drained
Wetland indicator
FACU
Shade tolerance
Intermediate, grows best in partial shade
Bloom color
Green or Brown
Bloom period
Late Spring to Summer
Drought tolerance
Medium
Salinity tolerance
None
Range
New England from Maine, south along the Appalachians to Alabama, and along the Great Lakes in Michigan.
Kartesz, J.T. 2024. Floristic Synthesis of North America, Version 1.0. Biota of North America Program (BONAP) [website http://bonap.org/]