top navigation:

Native Plant Propagation Guidelines:
grasses & sedges

Deschampsia cespitosa (tufted hairgrass)

Category: 
grasses and sedges

tufted hairgrass (photo by Toni Corelli)

Tolerant of a wide range of conditions, the attractive feathery appearance of this grass makes it a good choice for borders and banks. Photo by Toni Corelli.

Scientific Name: 

Deschampsia cespitosa (L.) Beauv. (D. beringensis Hult., D. cespitosa var. arctica Vasey = ssp. beringensis; D. holciformis J. Presl, D. cespitosa var. littoralis (Reut.) Richter, D. cespitosa var. longiflora Beal = ssp. cespitosa)

Family: 
Poaceae
English Name: 
tufted hairgrass

Geographical Range and Habitat Requirements

Ecological Setting: 

Sub-montane to sub-alpine, circumpolar distribution (transcontinental in North America).

Soil Texture: 

Clayey gleysolic and deep humus soils.

Nutrients: 

Calcium and nitrogen rich soils.

Soil Reaction and Salinity: 

pH 6.5 to 7.5. Tolerates brackish water and ocean spray.

Moisture Regime: 

Water-receiving and water-collecting sites with slow-moving, often stagnant water (Klinka, et al. 1995).

Shade Tolerance: 

Shade intolerant (Klinka, et al. 1995).

Successional Status: 

Early seral or wet semi-terrestrial, non-forested communities.

BEC Zone and GOE Community Status: 
n/a

Uses

Site Rehabilitation: 
n/a
Wildlife: 
n/a
Landscaping: 

Tolerant of a wide range of conditions. Attractive feathery appearance makes it a good choice for borders and banks (S. Bastin, personal communication).

First Nations: 
n/a
Other Uses: 
n/a

Seed Propagation

Flowering Time: 
n/a
Fruit Ripening Time: 

Mid to late June.

Seed Collection Time: 
n/a
Crop Intervals: 
n/a
Number of Seeds per Kilogram: 

3,658,510

Seed Viability: 
n/a
Fruit and Seed Collection and Extraction: 

Allow to cure for seven to ten days after collecting.

Seed Storage: 
n/a
Fruit/Seed Dormancy and Treatment: 

Good results from fall sowing. Sow in containers in April on heat (night -15º C, day 20-24º C), germination in 30 days. Cover lightly with soil and screen until germination occurs. Plugs form slowly in about 60 days if kept continually moist and at a constant temperature (S. Bastin, personal communication).

Vegetative Propagation

Good results with plant division in spring or fall.

Outplanting Characteristics and Requirements

Can be very aggressive. Leave room to spread or control in place. Doesn't tolerate transplanting unless well-rooted (S. Bastin, personal communication).

Seed and Cutting Propagation Techniques

n/a

Additional Information and Photos

For more information and pictures, visit the E-Flora BC website at www.eflora.bc.ca.

?>