Gymnopogon brevifolius
beard grass, shortleaf skeletongrass
Family
Poaceae
Leaf Arrangement
alternate
Leaf Attachment
sessile
Leaf Type
cauline, simple
Leaf Shape
linear
Growth Form
graminoid
Flower Color
inconspicuous
Flower Month
August - November
Height (meters)
0.1 - 0.9
Milky Sap
No
Armed/Unarmed
Unarmed
Origin
native
Lifespan
perennial
Growing Season
Warm season
Wetland Class
FACU
Prairie Coefficient of Conservatism
9
Field Characters
Similar to Gymnopogon ambiguus which sometimes grows with G. brevifolius, but usually on dryer sites. It can be distinguished from G. ambiguus by its inflorescence branches which have florets only on the outer half, while those of G. ambiguus has florets over their entire length.
Cultural Information
Seeds average approximately 1,600,000/lb.
Natural History
At maturity the inflorescence breaks and roles around like a "tumbleweed", disbursing the seed.
Habitat
Savannas, pinelands, and dry woods, sandy soil.