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Calamovilfa longifolia
Calamovilfa longifolia (Hook.) Scribn.
Prairie Sandreed, Sandreed Grass
Poaceae (Grass Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: CALO
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
Prairie Sand-reed is a 2-6 ft. sod-forming, perennial grass with a stiffly erect culm and long, tapering leaves. The seed head is 4-16 in. long with narrow, ascending branches. Prairie sand-reed stays green until frost, then cures well to remain effective in the winter landscape.
From the Image Gallery
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Grass/Grass-like
Root Type: Fibrous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Venation: Parallel
Fruit Type: Caryopsis
Size Notes: Up to about 6 feet tall, occasionally to almost 8 feet.
Leaf: Green
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: YellowBloom Time: Jul , Aug
Distribution
USA: CO , IA , ID , IL , IN , KS , MI , MN , MO , MT , ND , NE , NM , NY , OH , PA , SD , WI , WYCanada: AB , SK
Native Distribution: Ont. to s.e. B.C., s. to IN, IL, KS, CO & n. ID
Native Habitat: Sandy hills, prairies & open woods
Growing Conditions
Water Use: MediumLight Requirement: Sun
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Sandy, well-drained soils.
Conditions Comments: This is a good grass for erosion control in sandy blowout areas. Var. magna occurs on sand dunes of Ont. and the Great Lakes region. This variety is heavily pigmented purple. Var. longifolia occurs throughout the rest of the range. Both varieties are drought-tolerant.
Propagation
Commercially Avail: yesFind Seed or Plants
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
Mr. Smarty Plants says
Native plants of dune erosion control in Michigan
May 30, 2008
We care for Lake Michigan dune near our home in New Buffalo and would like to provide erosion control with native species that will also enhance the beauty of the dune with long lasting flowers. The ...
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From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Bibliography
Bibref 946 - Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes (2002) Wasowski, SallyBibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.
Search More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Calamovilfa longifolia in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Calamovilfa longifolia in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Calamovilfa longifolia
Metadata
Record Modified: 2022-12-02Research By: TWC Staff