General Landscape Uses:
Groundcover, borders.
Availability:
Grown by enthusiasts.
Description: Leafy grass 3 or more feet tall with flat leaves 20 inches long and less than one half inch wide. Leaves are somewhat drooping and have rough edges. Flat, V-shaped spikelets atop 2 foot long panicles in spring and summer. Sheaths are hairy. Tolerates dryer conditions than C. laxum var. laxum.
Dimensions: Typically 3 feet in height.
Range:
Southeastern United States south to Brevard, Orange, Highlands, Polk, and Manatee counties.
Map of select IRC data from peninsular Florida.
Map of suggested ZIP codes from South Florida north to southern Brevard, Osceola, Polk, and Pasco counties.
Map of ZIP codes with habitat recommendations from the Monroe County Keys north to Martin and Charlotte counties.
Habitats: Stream banks and moist hammocks
Soils: Moist to wet, moderately well-drained sandy soils, with humus.
Salt Water Tolerance: Low; does not tolerate long-term flooding by salt or brackish water.
Salt Wind Tolerance: Moderate; grows near salt water, but is protected from direct salt spray by other vegetation.
Drought Tolerance: Moderate; generally requires moist soils, but tolerant of short periods of drought once established.
Light Requirements: Light shade.
Flower Color: Greenish white
Flower Characteristics: Slender inflorescence.
Flowering Season: Spring to summer.
References: Wunderlin and Hansen (
2011), Taylor (
2009)
Comments: We have been adding data for this species for central and northern Florida and welcome any feedback or review. If you would like to contribute information or images, please contact George Gann via the IRC staff page.
