MAT MUHLY (Muhlenbergia richardsonii)
The smallest grass with the longest name! This wiry little number is often overlooked because it’s so small. Stems sometimes form dense mats in wetter habitats, but it also occurs as occasional stems in drier areas where vegetation density is high. The leaves are very short (up to 2”) and narrow. The flower spike is only a few millimeters wide.
Grows with northern bedstraw, grass-of-parnassus, gentians, wild strawberry, big bluestem, tufted hairgrass and prairie dropseed.
Life Cycle: perennial, warm season
Sun Exposure: full sun
Bloom Period: August
Height: 4 – 12”
Soil: wet to medium