Tufted Hairgrass

Tufted Hairgrass

Common name:  Tufted hairgrass

Scientific name:  Deschampsia cespitosa

Family:  Grass, Poaceae

Bloom period:  July through September

What to look for:  Flower stems rising to a height of 3' bearing feathery panicles (long clusters) of tiny, variably-colored flowers in tones of gold, silver, purple and green, forming a cloud over the foliage.   Flower panicles turn yellowish-tan after bloom as the seed ripens.  Tall (2’ long) dark green grass blades are in low, dense tussocks.  The blades turn gold in the fall.

Where to see it:  In the Village Green butterfly garden.

Benefit to pollinators:  D. cespitosa is a larval host to the Juba skipper and the umber skipper.

More info:  The genus name honors Louis August Deschamps (1765-1842), French surgeon and naturalist.