Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Poales
Family:
Species:
speciosa
ID:
881613

Status:
valid

Authors:
Vasey

Source:
wcs

Year:
1886

Citation Micro:
Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 13: 232 (1886)

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000880948

Common Names

  • Speciosa Grass
  • Showy Muhly
  • Showy Hairgrass

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Description

Muhlenbergia speciosa (also called Muhly, among many other common names) is a perennial grass native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It grows in a variety of habitats, from dry, rocky slopes to moist meadows. It has a clumping growth habit and produces long, thin leaves and small, pinkish-purple flowers.

Uses & Benefits

Muhlenbergia speciosa is often used as an ornamental grass in landscaping and is known for its drought tolerance. It is also used for soil stabilization and erosion control.

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

Muhlenbergia speciosa has small, white to pinkish flowers that appear in late summer. Its seeds are small, reddish-brown, and have awns. The seedlings have narrow, linear leaves.

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Cultivation and Propagation

Muhlenbergia speciosa is a clump-forming perennial grass that typically grows in a mound to 1-2’ tall. It is native to the southwestern United States (Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and Utah) and northern Mexico. It features narrow, linear, bright green leaves (to 6” long) and airy, open panicles of purplish-pink flowers (to 8” long) in late summer. Propagation is by seed or division.

Where to Find Muhlenbergia speciosa

Muhlenbergia speciosa is native to the southwestern United States and can be found in dry, rocky areas.

Muhlenbergia speciosa FAQ

What is the ideal soil pH for Muhlenbergia speciosa?

Muhlenbergia speciosa prefers a soil pH of 6.0 to 7.0.

What is the best way to propagate Muhlenbergia speciosa?

Muhlenbergia speciosa can be propagated by seed or division.

What type of light does Muhlenbergia speciosa prefer?

Muhlenbergia speciosa prefers full sun to partial shade.

Species in the Muhlenbergia genus

Muhlenbergia aguascalientensis, Muhlenbergia alamosae, Muhlenbergia andina, Muhlenbergia angustata, Muhlenbergia annua, Muhlenbergia appressa, Muhlenbergia arenacea, Muhlenbergia arenicola, Muhlenbergia argentea, Muhlenbergia arizonica, Muhlenbergia arsenei, Muhlenbergia articulata, Muhlenbergia asperifolia, Muhlenbergia atacamensis, Muhlenbergia aurea, Muhlenbergia beyrichiana, Muhlenbergia biloba, Muhlenbergia brandegeei, Muhlenbergia brevifolia, Muhlenbergia breviligula, Muhlenbergia brevis, Muhlenbergia breviseta, Muhlenbergia brevivaginata, Muhlenbergia bushii, Muhlenbergia californica, Muhlenbergia capillaris, Muhlenbergia capillipes, Muhlenbergia caxamarcensis, Muhlenbergia ciliata, Muhlenbergia coerulea, Muhlenbergia crispiseta, Muhlenbergia cualensis, Muhlenbergia curtifolia, Muhlenbergia curtisetosa, Muhlenbergia curviaristata, Muhlenbergia cuspidata, Muhlenbergia decumbens, Muhlenbergia depauperata, Muhlenbergia distans, Muhlenbergia distichophylla, Muhlenbergia diversiglumis, Muhlenbergia dubia, Muhlenbergia dumosa, Muhlenbergia durangensis, Muhlenbergia duthieana, Muhlenbergia elongata, Muhlenbergia eludens, Muhlenbergia emersleyi, Muhlenbergia eriophylla, Muhlenbergia expansa,

Species in the Poaceae family

Achnatherum pekinense, Achnatherum pubicalyx, Achnatherum sibiricum, Achnatherum turcomanicum, Achnatherum brandisii, Achnatherum bromoides, Achnatherum calamagrostis, Achnatherum confusum, Achnatherum inebrians, Achnatherum jacquemontii, Achnatherum virescens, Achnatherum paradoxum, Achnatherum nakaii, Achnatherum pelliotii, Achnatherum haussknechtii, Achnatherum mandavillei, Achnatherum pilosum, Achnatherum parviflorum, Achnatherum staintonii, Aciachne acicularis, Aciachne flagellifera, Aciachne pulvinata, Acidosasa breviclavata, Acidosasa brilletii, Acidosasa chinensis, Acidosasa edulis, Acidosasa glauca, Acidosasa guangxiensis, Acidosasa lingchuanensis, Acidosasa nanunica, Acidosasa notata, Acidosasa purpurea, Acidosasa venusta, Acidosasa carinata, Acostia gracilis, Acrachne henrardiana, Acrachne perrieri, Acrachne racemosa, Acritochaete volkensii, Acroceras amplectens, Acroceras attenuatum, Acroceras boivinii, Acroceras bosseri, Acroceras calcicola, Acroceras chaseae, Acroceras diffusum, Acroceras elegans, Acroceras excavatum, Acroceras fluminense, Acroceras gabunense,

References

George Vasey (1822-1893): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'Vasey' in the authors string.
POWO record for urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:164892-2: Govaerts R (ed.). 2023. WCVP: World Checklist of Vascular Plants [Version 11]. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. [WWW document] URL http://sftp.kew.org/pub/data-repositories/WCVP/ [accessed 20 April 2023].