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Native Plant Society of Texas

Indian Ricegrass

Achnatherum hymenoides

Poaceae (Grass Family)

Indian Millet, Sandgrass

Courtesy; Wasowski, Sally and Andy, https://www.wildflower.org/gallery/result.php?id_image=23517
Courtesy; Wasowski, Sally and Andy, https://www.wildflower.org/gallery/result.php?id_image=23517
Courtesy; Wasowski, Sally and Andy, https://www.wildflower.org/gallery/result.php?id_image=23516
Courtesy; Wasowski, Sally and Andy, https://www.wildflower.org/gallery/result.php?id_image=23516

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Native Habitat: Grassland
Chihuahuan Deserts, High Plains

Maintenance

Indian Ricegrass is very drought tolerant and useful in land reclamation projects. Remove old clumps to allow self-sown seedlings room to develop. This grass can be mowed to 8 in. in early fall. The seed has a hard coat that prolongs dormancy, taking up to two years for an area that has been seeded to become fully established.

Comments

Indian Ricegrass is a 1-2 ft., perennial bunchgrass. The sage-green, wiry foliage and ivory-colored seed heads give the grass a light, airy appearance. Foliage turns tan when dormant. Good erosion control for sand dunes. Larval Host: Skippers.

Growth Form

Grass & Sedge

Height

1 to
2 ft

Spread

1 to
2 ft

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Rocky, Calcareous, Deep

Light Requirement

Sun

Water Requirement

Low

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Bloom Color

Yellow, Green

Bloom Season

Summer

Seasonal Interest

Seeds, Forage, Larval Host

Wildlife Benefit

Browsers, Butterflies, Birds

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Previous Scientific Name(s): Synonym/s: Eriocoma cuspidata, Oryzopsis hymenoides, Stipa hymenoides

References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ACHY. 3) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Achnatherum+hymenoides&formsubmit=Search+Terms. 4) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=8235&locationType=County&mapType=Normal. 5) Wasowski and Wasowski, Native Texas Plants Landscaping Region by Region, 1991, pg 130.131. 6) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=507943#null

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State Office Phone: 830.997.9272

State Office Address:
Native Plant Society of Texas
PO Box 3017
Fredericksburg, TX 78624

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