Saccharum brevibarbe var. contortum (Poaceae)

Bent-awn plume grass

Native to open ground on the coastal plain or in moist sandy pinelands from Delaware south to Florida and Texas, north to Tennessee and Oklahoma. Clump-forming and narrowly upright to 3m tall. Leaves to 2cm wide, green in summer turning various shades of purple, bronze and orange-red in autumn. The foliage has a distinct reddish colouration even in winter, when most grasses have bleached to straw colour. The narrow, strictly upright plumes appear in September, standing about 60cm above the uppermost leaves. Reddish brown at first, the flower clusters become lighter coloured upon drying. The awns have a characteristic twist. Best in full sun or light shade on moist soils.
Ht. 3m. Very hardy


Price
  9cm pot       £2.50       Available Sept 2004