Nimblewill

<i>Muhlenbergia schreberi</i>

Muhlenbergia schreberi

Species of flowering plant

Muhlenbergia schreberi, the nimblewill, is a grass species in the family Poaceae native to North America.[1]

Quick Facts Muhlenbergia schreberi, Scientific classification ...

Description

The nimblewill has purple to green culms that stand erect, and its spikelets are about 2-8" long. Its panicles are greenish and contain a rachis. Each spikelet has 1–2 glumes that are 0.2 mm long and afterwards the spikelets disarticulate and fall to the ground. The florets of the nimblewill are pollinated by the wind.[2]

Turf grass

It is considered a southern turf type lawn grass and turns brown in the winter. This makes it a lesser grass for northern climate lawns. It is shade tolerant and tends to spread aggressively once established. Because of its durability in moderately cold temperatures and invasive bug species, this grass can be used to protect certain crops in the American southeast.[3]

Ecology

This species is eaten by the bug Stenodema vicinum, and is also eaten by cattle and other hoofed herbivores. The seeds can be distributed by sticking to animal hoofs or shoes.[4] Nimblewill grows in light sun and partial shade, and prefer a loamy soil and moist conditions. Nimblewill is common around Illinois where it is native. The nimblewill is sometimes found around Minnesota.[5] Some insects are known to eat nimblewill, like Hysteroneura setariae, Conocephalus brevipennis and Hymenarcys nervosa. Birds that are known to eat this plant are tree sparrows, song sparrows and turkeys.[6]

References

  1. [1]
    https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=musc. USDA. Retrieved 2017-4-2.
  2. [2]
    "Nimblewill (Muhlenbergia schreberi)". www.illinoiswildflowers.info. Retrieved 2020-09-17.
  3. [3]
    Meyer, John R.; Zehr, Eldon I.; Meagher, Robert L.; Salvo, Stephen K. (1992-09-01). "Survival and growth of peach trees and pest populations in orchard plots managed with experimental ground covers". Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment. 41 (3): 353–363. doi:10.1016/0167-8809(92)90121-Q. ISSN 0167-8809.
  4. [4]
    Muhlenbergia schreberi, Native Plant Database, University of Texas at Austin
  5. [5]
    "Muhlenbergia schreberi (Nimblewill): Minnesota Wildflowers". www.minnesotawildflowers.info. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  6. [6]
    "Nimblewill (Muhlenbergia schreberi)". www.illinoiswildflowers.info. Retrieved 2020-09-17.
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