Elymus hystrix L.

Bottlebrush Grass

© DETenaglia

Family - Poaceae/Triticeae

Stems - No info. yet.

Leaves - No info. yet.

	Node and leaf auricle.
© DETenaglia

	Ligule.
© DETenaglia

Inflorescence - No info. yet.

© DETenaglia

Flowers - No info. yet.

	Spikelets.
© DETenaglia

Flowering - June - August.

Habitat - Bottoms, mesic to dry upland forests, glade margins, upland prairies, bluff ledges, streambanks, disturbed sites.

Origin - Native to the U.S.

Other info. - This attractive species can be found throughout Missouri. The plant is easy to identify because of its big inflorescence which has the spikelets at 90 degrees to the rachis (resembling a bottlebrush). The plant is quite showy and is starting to appear in cultivation. It requires no care once established.

A synonym is Hystrix patula Moench.

Photographs taken at the Shut-In Mountain Fen, Shannon County, MO., 6-21-03.