Names and Taxonomy
- Common Names:
- Synonyms:
- Family: Poaceae (Grasses)
- Genus Information:
Muhlenbergia rigens
Deer Grass
It is a large, clumping bunchgrass native to the southwestern United States and Mexico. It features long, arching, silvery-green blades and produces tall, tawny flower stalks in the summer. Deergrass is characterized by dense, tufted basal foliage consisting of narrow pointed leaves that reach lengths of about 3 feet (0.91 m). The foliage ranges in color from light silver-green to purple. The spikelike stems are less than half an inch wide and 3–4 feet (0.91–1.22 m) in length. During bloom, the numerous flowered panicles often reach heights of five feet. The spikelets consist of a single awnless floret with a 3-nerved lemma.
