Illinois Natural History Survey - University of Illinois

Muhlenbergia capillaris
Hair grass
Taxonomy

Synonyms:

Subspecific taxa:

Classification:

Other taxonomic & nomenclature sources: USDA PlantsITISThe Plant ListIPNI

Species Distribution
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County Map Legend
Absent:
Not known from county
Medium confidence:
Medium or unknown confidence;
often old records or unverifiable observations
Medium-high confidence:
Often observations by expert botanists
High confidence:
Often vouchered herbarium records
Planted / introduced:
Native species introduced outside historic range,
or only in planted locations within county (e.g., restorations)
Historic / extirpated:
Only historic records for the species; likely extirpated
(Note that this category is not yet functional)

North American distribution maps for this species: FLNAUSDA PlantsBONAPBISON

Collections, Observations & Flowering by Month [?]

J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

Collections & Observations by Decade [?]

Species Status

Status/Listing: No Information

Notes:

Origin: Native

Species Description

General: Monocot, perennial

Roots: adventitious, fibrous

Shoots: alternate leaf arrangment; simple leaf type; entire leaf margin; Parallel leaf venation; awl-shaped leaf shape

Inflorescence: panicle

Flowers: perfect; 3 merous; complete; hypogynous ovary position

Fruit: grain

Physiology: autotrophic

Reproduction:

Ecology & Natural History

Habitat: Species is distributed on sandy woodlands, usually in open woods of deciduous or pine trees, sandstone or more commonly cherty limestone glades; openings above limestone escarpments, and along roads.

ILPIN Notes: This is one of the last species to flower in Illinois. The longer scabrous lemma, the long panicle and absence of rhizomes distinguish this delicate, open-panicled grass from M. asperifolia. Also, there are very long awns on lemmas. According to Ref. 4, this is "...a handsome grass with graceful rosy-purple panicle of hairlike branches and pedicels." Species is only found in the southern counties. Species is caespitose. Species is difficult to transplant and to establish in a wild garden.

Functional Relationships:

  • Pollinators:
  • Dispersal:
  • Mycorrhizae:
  • N2 fixation:

Human Relationships:

  • Edibility [?] :
  • Showy Flowers:

Wildlife and Livestock Information:

  • Food Value:
  • Cover Value:

Coefficient of Conservatism (C-value) [?] :

  • Entire State: 8
  • Chicago Area:

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