Plant of the Month: February, 1998

by Russell Stevens

Texas wintergrass
Stipa leucotricha

Characteristics: Native, coolseason, weakly perennial bunchgrass. Adapted from clayey to sandy soils, but most productive on loams. Also known as spear grass because of the close resemblance the awns have to a spear.

Area of Importance: Southwest and Southcentral Oklahoma, and Northcentral Texas.

Attributes: Palatable winter forage production, most productive in early spring. Responds to moderate disturbance such as heavy grazing.

Problems: Awns can injure sheep and contaminate wool during seed ripening.

I.D. Tip: A green leaf of Texas wintergrass has a coarse sandpaper feel when gently pulled between fingers from the leaf tip to its base.

Hundreds of plants are identified in the Noble Foundation Plant Image Gallery.