| Muhlenbergia asperifolia | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Monocots |
| (unranked): | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Poaceae |
| Genus: | Muhlenbergia |
| Species: | M. asperifolia |
| Binomial name | |
| Muhlenbergia asperifolia (Nees & Meyen ex Trin.) Parodi |
|
Muhlenbergia asperifolia is a species of grass known by the common name Scratchgrass. It is native to much of North America, including most of southern Canada, most of the continental United States except for the southeastern region, and parts of northern Mexico. It is also known from South America.
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Muhlenbergia asperifolia is a rhizomatous perennial grass growing decumbent or spreading or erect up to about 60 centimeters tall. The inflorescence is a very open, wispy array of many hair-thin, outstretched branches each up to 14 centimeters long. The spikelets at the tips of the branches are only 1 or 2 millimeters long.
Muhlenbergia asperifolia is a valuable grass for habitat restoration and [revegetation]] projects in disturbed habitat in the Southwest United States]], especially in riparian zones in California and the Intermountain West.[1]
It is planted with Sporobolus airoides - Alkali sacaton for Mojave River and other Riparian zone restoration in the Mojave Desert.[2] It produces dense groundcover once established.[1]