Feather-grasses
What are they?
Under the heading of Feather-grasses, are brought together a loose bunch of species whose common link is that they tend to be relatively tall and have open, feathery flowerheads.
Where are they found?
This is a mixed bag of species with no common link with regard to habitat choice. Some are wetland species, some meadow species, while others are non-native and could be found in a range of habitats, though most often near habitation.
Identification
A loose group of species which are here identified by their rather showy, feathery flowerheads and often tall growth with broad leaves. For species recognition, see the individual species comments.
Common Reed Phragmites australis
An abundant and dominant species in many kinds of wetlands including both fresh and brackish water. Flowers July to September. Common Reed is an abundant and well-known wetland plant that has become a highly invasive and problematic species in the region. The native American Reed Phragmites americanus) is extremely similar, but can be identified with care by its ligules which are over 1mm long (rather than less than 1mm) and the slightly longer glumes in the flower head.
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Giant Reed Arundo donax
Introduced from the Mediterranean region. Currently known in the wild from just a single location near Cape Island Creek, but this plant can become highly invasive in areas where it has been widley planted as a screen or shelter belt, such as in Texas and the Gulf States. Flowers July to September. A huge grass that can grow to 30 feet tall, but is likely to be kept in check by cold winters in our area.
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Reed Canary-grass Phalaris arundinacea
Introduced from Europe. Typically a plant of wet, often shady places, but sometimes also found as a weed from cultivation. Flowers June to July. When not in flower, this plant bears a close resemblance to Common Reed, but is easily separated by the ligule which is membranous rather than a ring of hairs. Another fun way to tell the two apart is that you can swivel the leaves of Common Reed around on the stem until they are all on one side. The leaves of Reed Canary-grass refuse to stay where they are put!
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Purpletop Tridens flavus
A common species of dry fields, hedgelines, open woodland and roadsides. Flowers August to September. Forms tight tussocks of vegetation. Distinctive in the fall when its tall, reddish-purple tinged flower heads can be very showy.
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Uruguayan Pampas-grass Cortaderia selloana
A popular garden plant that may occasionally be found as a garden throw-out or where planted in the wider countryside, such as in dunes at Cape May Point. Flowers August to October. Forms tight tussocks of narrow, sharp-edged leaves, topped with showy, whitish or pinkish heads of fluffy flowers and seed heads.
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sharply-toothed edges |
Sugarcane plume-grass Saccharum giganteum
Uncommon, but may form large stands where found. Favors seasonally flooded, damp fields, woodland clearings and margins of swamps. Flowers August to October. A tall and stately plant with often a purple color to the whole plant. Flower heads may grow to seven feet high or more.
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Ravenna-grass Ripidium ravennae
An ornamental species from the Eastern Mediterranean and Asia Minor, which is commonly planted as an ornamental grass. This plant has the potential to be highly invasive in Cape May County and is already widespread, especially in coastal dunes. Flowers September to October. A tall and stately plant which forms loose clumps of broad leaves, each with a white midrib.
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Chinese Silver-grass Miscanthus sinensis
(Japanese Plume-grass) An ornamental species from Asia which is sometimes planted as a boundary hedge or shelter belt, as at the Rea Farm, West Cape May. Odd plants can sometimes be found self-sown in old fields and coastal dunes. Flowers September to October. A variable plant as many different cultivated varieties now exist. Plants may vary from three feet tall to well over head height.
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Johnson-grass Sorghum halepense
Native to southern Europe and Asia, this species occurs as a fairly widespread alien in old fields, roadsides and other disturbed areas. Flowers July to September. Usually occurs in quite large stands, spreading by underground rhizomes. The awns on the flowers are usually slightly bent half way along, but fall quite quickly so many flowers appear not to have awns. Flowers usually tinged reddish. Leaves with a white midrib.
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Great Millet Sorghum bicolor
(Sorghum) Grown as a crop plant but included here as odd plants may turn up self-seeded on field edges and roadsides. Flowers August to October. When not in flower, leafy plants can look quite similar to Corn (Zea mays).
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whitish coating |
Yellow Indian-grass Sorghastrum nutans
A tall native grass of old fields and woodland edge. Flowers August to September. A very attractive species with often bluish stems and leaves and a rich golden-brown color to the flower heads.
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