Family - Poaceae

Stems - No info. yet.

Leaves - No info. yet.

Node and leaf auricle.

Ligule.

Inflorescence - No info. yet.

Flowers - No info. yet.

Spikelets.

Flowering - June - August.

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

Origin - Native to 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.