Elymus hystrix Bottlebrush Grass

General

Native cool season grass, with distinctive seed heads. Streambanks and dry to moist fields and meadows. Plant in slightly shaded woodlands. Principal growth occurs during the cooler months of spring and early fall.

Plant Description

Leaves (1/2 inch wide, 12 inch long) are occassionally twisted at the stem so the underside of the leaves faces up. Leaf tips droop. Look for a membranous ligule (tissue that arises out of the stem at the junction of the leaf and the stem) and auricles that clasp around the stem, (auricles are arm like projections that can clasp the stem and form the dividing line between the leaf and the stem). The  flowering stem produces “spikelets” that are located perpendicular to the stem and these spikelets (3-4 inches long) are not large in quantity but within develops the seed.

Height (ft)

2-4 ft

Soil moisture
Medium to dry

Soil types
Coarse, medium and dry

Wetland indicator
UPL

Shade tolerance
Part sun to full shade

Bloom color
Green-purple

Bloom period
Late spring to early summer

Drought tolerance
Medium

Salinity tolerance
None

 

Range

ME south to Virginia, west to AS, north to MN then east to New England.

Kartesz, J.T. 2024. Floristic Synthesis of North America, Version 1.0. Biota of North America Program (BONAP) [website http://bonap.org/]

Additional Information

According to the Native Plant Trust, this species is often found next to Acer saccharum (sugar maple), Tilia americana (american basswood) and Fraxinus americana (white ash.)

According to Black Squirrel Farms in Yates County, NY, this species has been used as ceremonial medicine by the Haudenosaunee.