Common Name: Praire Dropseed

General Information

Muhlenbergia pungens is a spreading, perennial grass with elongated rhizomes; the decumbent culms are around 10 - 70cm long[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a brush.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Central and southern N. America - Wyoming and South Dakota, south to Arizona, New Mexico and Texas

Habitat

Prairies[]. Loose sandy soils near sand dunes to sandy clay loam slopes and flats in desert shrub and open woodlands; at elevations from 600 - 2,500 metres[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.40 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Species in this genus generally succeed in any well drained soil in a sunny position[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The stiff culms, harvested in the autumn, are stripped of their spine-like leaves and bound together to form a brush[]. One end is used to sweep the floor, whilst the other makes a good hair brush[].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. Germination should take place within 2 weeks. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer if they have grown sufficiently. Otherwise, grow them on in a greenhouse for their first winter and plant them out in late spring of the following year.
Division in spring. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.