There are grasses, sedges and reeds. They are all important to maintaining land.

Danthonia spicata (click here) is a petite cool season perennial grass with dense tufted foliage. Leaves from the current season are wiry and bluish green.  Twisted older leaves develop a bronzy hue and are retained at the base of each clump.  In late spring delicate flower panicles rise above the foliage.  This grass thrives in sunny exposures with poor dry soil.

Remember while it is interesting to identify the leaves, they characteristically grow in clumps. Don't lose sight of that fact. They won't' be found in single blades.

This grass is hardy from USDA Zones 3-8.

Danthonia spicata is a clump forming cool season grass with twisted wiry foliage.  This grass holds soil with its vigorous fiberous roots and expands slowly from short rhizomes.

Leaf blades are medium green or bluish-green, 4-6” long and about 1/16” wide.  They are generally smooth with a margin that rolls up.  Old leaves develop a buff color and persist at the base of the clumps.

Leafless culms rise above the foliage bearing narrow panicles with 2-13 spikelets.  The spikelets have twisted pubescent awns.

Plants attain 1-2’ height with 1’ spread.