Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

wiregrass

Synonym(s):

Aristida var. stricta, Aristida beyrichicana

Genus species:

Aristida stricta

Family:

Poaceae (Gramineae)

Plant Specifics

Form:

grass

Size:

1-4 ft tall by 1-3 ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

NA

Fruit Color:

orange

Phenology:

Noted For:

Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Restoration areas. Naturalistic landscapes.

Considerations:

Availability:

Native Nurseries, Specialty Provider

Propagation:

Typically by plugs. An issue is that availability is very limited. Also by seed, but requires a burn in the early growing season to produce viable seed.

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry

-|----|----|----|----|---- <-------------------> |----|----|-

Somewhat moist, no flooding ---to--- Short very dry periods

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand

Soil pH:

acidic

Suitable to Grow In:

8A,8B,9A,9B,10A,10B

Ecology

Wildlife:

Birds

Wind pollinated.

Small birds consume seeds.  

Native Habitats:

Open seepage areas, forested seepage areas, flatwoods, sandhill, clayhill, scrub, coastal uplands

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

This was historically one of the major flatwoods and sandhill groundcover species. It was of value to ranchers if burned so that new growth was palatable to cattle. Extremely important to maintenance of natural landscapes and wildlife.

General Comments:

Typically not used in landscape settings. However, if appropriate management can be provided (fire), then seed-bearing plants have considerable landscape value; non-seed-bearing plants are good groundcover.



For an interesting article on this plant see the Florida Wildflower Foundation blog.