Muhlygrass
Muhlenbergia capillaris
Status: Secure
Muhly Grass is a perennial grass that is native to Florida’s pine flatwoods. Muhly grass can produce clumps of seed heads that are about 2 to 3 feet tall and about 3 feet wide. During the fall, the muhly grass produces fluffy pinkish purple seed heads that are commonly used around commercial areas and households for landscaping.
Habitat & Range
Muhly grass has been found in the southeastern and northeastern parts of the United States. They are often seen in marshes, savannas, and pine forest. Muhly grass can grow in a variety of light, moisture, and soil.
Food Web & Energy Flow
Like most plants, the Muhly grass gets its energy from the sun through photosynthesis, making it a primary producer. In order for muhly grass to survive it needs soil, water, and a lot of sunlight.
Relationship to Fire
Frequent fires are important for the muhly grass. If frequent fires on the forest floor are not constant in the Longleaf pine ecosystem, other plants and trees can grow tall, blocking this plant species from the sunlight. After a fire, the soil is restored with nutrients and Muhlygrass is able to regrow immediately.
Conservation Status
Muhly grass is found in various places in North America. On the map, it shows how the Muhly grass is under different levels of pressure in different states, but overall they are considered Secure.
Human Impacts/ Threats
Poaching
Some people are willing to buy these plants because they're cool looking, which means that sometimes people dig up these plants (illegally) to sell.
Fire Suppression
Many people think of fires in the forest as bad, so they work hard to prevent or suppress them. But longleaf forests NEED regular fire to support habitat for the species that live there!
Resources
University of Florida. Gardening Solutions
National Park Service. Muhly Grass
Gardening Know How. What is Muhly Grass?
