Muhlenbergia reverchonii
Seep Muhly
Family: Poaceae
A perennial bunch grass that grows to about 2 feet tall. The inflorescence is a tan to reddish haze that occurs in the fall. This is like a miniature version of the ‘Regal Mist’ muhly (M. capillaris).
‘Undaunted’ is a selection with more red blooms/seeds.
'Autumn Embers' has a panicle with a more pink coloration.
Full to filtered sun, regular water. Blooms best in full sun. Moderate water when established. Hardy to -20°F.
Native grasses are extremely important plants for wildlife: as nesting material for birds as well as native bees and other insects, as habitat for many organisms, and as food: adult insects eat the foliage, granivorous birds depend on many species for seeds, and most grass species are used as larval hosts for many species of butterflies and moths, especially skippers. Many bee species collect the pollen of many species of grasses. All can be used for desert tortoise enclosures.
Photo of the Undaunted selection of M. reverchonii by Mountain States Wholesale Nursery
Grasses also play an important role in the ecology of soil, and because they are monocots, they can be planted close to other species of plants (the nature of the root systems of monocots renders them less imposing on neighboring plants). They hold soil down and help prevent erosion. Many species are pioneer plants that convert disturbed soils into hospitable places for other plants.
Muhlenbergia is named for Gotthilf Heinrich Ernst Muhlenberg (1753-1815) a clergyman and botanist from Pennsylvania. The species, reverchonii, refers to Julien Reverchon (1837-1905), a French botanist who immigrated to Texas. At his death, his collection housed more than 2,600 species and more than 20,000 specimens of Texas plants. There are 180 species of Muhlenbergia with the greatest number native to the southwestern United States and Mexico; there are also native species in Canada, Central and South America and in Asia.
Native to calcareous rocky slopes, flats, and limestone rock outcrops, at elevations of 500-2100 ft. It is restricted to Oklahoma and Texas.
A natural colony of seep muhly in the Tandy Hills Park & Natural Area - City of Fort Worth, photo by Sam Kieschnick, iNaturalist
Seeds detail, photo by Kathy McAleese, iNaturalist