FNPS Plant Database

Sporobolus junceus

pineywoods dropseed
  • Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

pineywoods dropseed

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Sporobolus junceus

Family:

Poaceae (Gramineae)

Plant Specifics

Form:

Grass

Size:

1–2 (3) ft tall by 1–2 ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

pink

Fruit Color:

gold, brown

Phenology:

Evergreen

Noted For:

Showy Flowers, Showy Fruits, Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Bunching grass in a wildflower garden. Border of walkways. This is a low plant, so best used near the front of a group planting.

Considerations:

Availability:

Native Nurseries, FNPS Plant Sales, Specialty Provider, Seed

Propagation:

Seed. Division. Seeds are available through the Florida Wildflowers Growers Cooperative.

Light:

Full Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

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

□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■□□□

Somewhat moist, no flooding -to- Very long 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 to neutral

Suitable to Grow In:

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

Don't know your zone? Click here to search by zip code.

Vouchered In:

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

Ecology

Wildlife:

Native Habitats:

Flatwoods, sandhills

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

General Comments:

In nature, this grows in habitats with frequent fire. In the garden, it will grow best if you remove built-up thatch (or burn it once every few years if you can).
FNPS Plant Print

Citations:

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


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

Request an update