Species PlantsBottlebrush Grass

Bottlebrush Grass

Elymus hystrix

CommonPlant
Illustration of Bottlebrush Grass (Elymus hystrix)

Bottlebrush Grass is a shade-tolerant native grass of eastern deciduous forest understories and edges, with distinctive bottlebrush-like seed heads that spread outward at right angles. It is one of the few native grasses that thrives in shade and provides ground-level structure in the forest understory. The seeds are eaten by many forest birds.

Habitat
Deciduous forest understory and shaded forest edges in eastern North America
Diet
Seeds eaten by forest birds including ruffed grouse and wild turkey
How common
Common

Best time to see a Bottlebrush Grass

The best time to see a Bottlebrush Grass is May–July, when about 60% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 12,095 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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