JUNE GRASS (Koeleria macrantha)
This cool season bunch grass is one of the first prairie grasses to flower. It’s a relatively short grass, generally reaching about knee height, and an indicator of drier habitats. When flowering, the narrow, densely-flowered spikes open up and are very showy. The undersides of the leaves are often covered in dense, short hairs, giving them a velvety feel, but hairiness is variable.
Grows with wild strawberry, hoary puccoon, stiff goldenrod, white upland goldenrod, white and purple prairie clovers, Canadian lousewort, big bluestem, and leadplant.
Life Cycle: perennial, cool season
Sun Exposure: full sun
Bloom Period: June
Height: 1 – 2 ft
Soil: dry to medium