June Grass

Patrick J. Alexander @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

Robert Soreng @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Hitchcock, A.S. (rev. A. Chase). 1950. Manual of the grasses of the United States. USDA Miscellaneous Publication No. 200. Washington, DC.

Names: Junegrass ( English); Koeleria macrantha (Latin)

Other Common Names: Prairie Junegrass, Mountain Junegrass, Crested hairgrass

Habitat and Origin: Occurs all over North America in prairies, savanna, coastal scrub, chaparral and open forests.

Characteristics: A perennial bunch grass with light green to blue-green flat basal leaves. Pale green to purpleish spiked seeds occur well above the leaves.

Edible Portion: Seeds.

Optimal Growing Conditions: Grows best with rocky or sandy soils with low fertility and good drainage and can be drought tolerant.

Aboriginal Peoples Uses: The seed were turned into flour to make bread and mush. Paint brushes and brooms were also made from the leaves.