Leersia hexandra
southern cutgrass
Family
Poaceae
Leaf Arrangement
alternate, basal (rosulate)
Leaf Margin
entire
Leaf Type
simple
Leaf Shape
linear
Growth Form
graminoid
Flower Color
inconspicuous
Flower Month
May - October
Height (meters)
0.3 - 1.5
Milky Sap
No
Armed/Unarmed
Unarmed
Origin
native
Lifespan
perennial
Growing Season
Cool season
Wetland Class
OBL
Prairie Coefficient of Conservatism
3
Field Characters
Stems wiry, leaf margins serrated and sharp. The nodes have short beards and the ligule is a papery, thin and about 0.5 mm long.
Animal Use
Palatable to livestock but of low forage value due to limited abundance; provides seed for waterfowl.
Natural History
Leersia hexandra is found near the edges of streams and rivers and in wet areas including prairie and coastal marsh regions of Louisiana and east Texas.
Habitat
Near creeks and rivers, coastal parts, ditches, marshes, pools.