Texas wintergrass
Stipa leucotricha
Poaceae
Description
Stems are usually erect but sometimes prostrate, and have short, hairy nodes. The dark green blades have short, bristly, white hairs and are rough on both sides. The light brown seed has a single, twisted awn that is 2 1/2 to 4 inches long with a barb at the base. Hence, it is sometimes called speargrass. In late spring after the seeds have fallen, the white glumes resemble oats. A spikelet at the base of the stem is self-fertilizing. This is the most abundant native, cool-season grass in Texas.
Texas wintergrass is a perennial, cool-season, native - 18 to 42 inches tall.
Fair grazing for livestock and wildlife.
Habitat
Prefers bottomland soil and mesquite flats.
Images
Plant Characteristics
Duration: Perennial
Stem Texture: Hairless/Smooth
Growth Habit: Bunch grass, Grasses
Season: Cool
Distribution
: 01 - Pineywoods, 02 - Gulf Prairies and Marshes, 03 - Post Oak Savannah, 04 - Blackland Prairies, 05 - Cross Timbers and Prairies, 06 - South Texas Plains, 07 - Edwards Plateau, 08 - Rolling Plains, 09 - High Plains, 10 - Trans-Pecos
Distributions
Distribution refers to the ecological region in Texas that a plant has been found. You can also view a clickable map.
Book: Know Your Grasses (B-182)
Collection: Grasses
