FNPS Plant Database

Muhlenbergia capillaris

hairgrass, muhly grass
  • Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
  • Photo by: Archbold Bioloical Station
  • Photo by: Ginny Stibolt, Ixia Chapter FNPS
  • Photo by: Eleanor Dietrich, Magnolia Chapter FNPS
  • Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

hairgrass, muhly grass

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Muhlenbergia capillaris

Family:

Poaceae (Gramineae)

Plant Specifics

Form:

grass

Size:

2 to 3 (4) ft tall by 1.0 to 3.5 ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

pink/purple

Fruit Color:

pink/purple

Phenology:

Evergreen. Forms dense clumps. Blooms in mid- fall.

Noted For:

Showy Flowers, Showy Fruits, Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Hedge, specimen plant, mass planting

Considerations:

Availability:

Quality Nurseries, FNPS Plant Sales, Seed

Propagation:

Once the pink flower/seed heads are at their peak, the tiny seeds can be collected using a comb. It readily self seeds, with seeds that fall into cracks and crevices in rocks or pavement tending to do well. Seeds are available through the Florida Wildflowers Growers Cooperative.

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

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

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Usually moist, occasional inundation -to- Very long very dry periods

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Moderate. Tolerant of salty wind and may get some salt spray.

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Clay, Lime Rock

Soil pH:

Adaptable

Suitable to Grow In:

8A,8B,9A,9B,10A,10B,11

USDA zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature.

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Vouchered In:

Distribution
Vouchered
Not vouchered
Selected
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No county distribution is available for this plant yet.
Starting…
Map coded by Melissa Fernandez-de Cespedes (Paynes Prairie Chapter)

Ecology

Wildlife:

Birds

Muhly grass forms a low canopy that small animals can use for shelter and refuge.





Small birds eat the seeds.

Native Habitats:

Flatwoods, marshes, scrub.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

Also known as sweetgrass, which has been used for coiled basketry, particularly in the "low country" of South Carolina, Georgia, and northeast Florida, by people of the Gullah Culture.

General Comments:

There are three subspecies included in this description.  Together, they are found in all coastal counties of Florida and many inland ones.  As a grass, it is likely undercollected and it has likely been excluded by many agricultural practices, so at least one of these subspecies is potentially native throughout Florida.  Muhlenbergia capillaris var. capillaris is the subspecies that is most commonly available from nurseries.

FNPS Plant Print

Citations:

Gann, G.D., C.J. Abbott, C.G. Stocking, K.N. Hines, and collaborators. (2001+). Muhlygrass, Hairawn muhly. Natives For Your Neighborhood. ( https://www.regionalconservation.org/beta/nfyn/plantdetail.asp?tx=Muhlcapi ). Accessed 2026. The Institute for Regional Conservation. Delray Beach, Florida.


Gilman, Edward, Ryan W. Klein, and Gail Hansen. (2024). Muhlenbergia Capillaris , Muhly Grass (FPS-415). ( ). Accessed 2026. Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville.


Haehle, Robert G. and Joan Brookwell. (1999). Native Florida Plants. Gulf Publishing Company. Houston, TX.


Huegel, Craig N. (2012). Native Wildflowers and Other Ground Covers for Florida Landscapes. University Press of Florida, Gainesville.


Nelson, Gil. (2003). Florida's Best Landscape Plants: 200 Readily Available Species for Homeowners and Professionals. University Press of Florida, Gainesville.


Osorio, Rufino. (2001). A Gardener's Guide to Florida's Native Plants. University Press of Florida, Gainesville.


Wunderlin, R. P., B. F. Hansen, A. R. Franck, and F. B. Essig. (1999+). Atlas of Florida Plants. ( https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/ ). [S. M. Landry and K. N. Campbell (application development), USF Water Institute.] Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida, Tampa.

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