Strongly rhizomatous perennial often forming large clumps or colonies (B,C). The rather weak ascending or erect 1-3 foot flowering stems usually lean noticeably and may lie almost flat at maturity (D,E). Compact to slightly open 1-5 inch panicles arise from the tip of the stem and from side branches which are especially numerous in this species (D). Panicles of side branches are often partially enclosed in the leaf sheaths. Stems and nodes are hairless, smooth and shiny. Plants have abundant hairless leaves usually 1-6 inches long and less than 1/4 inch wide.
Upland and floodplain woods and edges. This and other species of Muhlenbergia mentioned below are common on most upland and floodplain woodland trails at both Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods. The Muhlenbergias reach maturity rather late in the season, flowering from late July to October.
Another woodland species, Whitegrass (Leersia virginica), also flowers late, has weak stems and forms large clumps or colonies. It has a much different open, sparsely branched panicle and prominent white hairs on the nodes.
Three other species of Muhlenbergia are quite common at FF/NW. These “look-alikes” possess either obscure or overlapping characteristics that make separation unreliable without a microscope. They are Mexican Muhly (Muhlenbergia mexicana), (F,G,H) which shares the alternate common name Wirestem Muhly with Muhlenbergia frondosa; Bush’s or Nodding Muhly (Muhlenbergia bushii); and Forest Muhly (Muhlenbergia sylvatica) whose flower cluster is shown in (I). As noted, these are distinct species, but separation requires evaluation of ligules, internodes and glumes, features that are very difficult to identify in the field.
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