Poaceae

J. Vendramini, B. Sellers, L. E. Sollenberger, and M. Silveira

Edward F. Gilman

This publication provides an overview of sea oats, a crucial dune stabilizer native to the southeastern United States. The document highlights the plant’s characteristics, including its height (5-8 feet), drought tolerance, and ability to grow in full sun and sandy soils. Sea oats spread through underground rhizomes and produce a distinctive inflorescence. The publication emphasizes the importance of preserving existing plants and encourages planting sea oats to stabilize coastal dunes. It also notes the plant’s high drought tolerance and lack of serious pest issues. First published October 1999. 

Debbie Miller, Mack Thetford, Christina Verlinde, Christina Verlinde, andGabriel Campbell

Debbie Miller, Mack Thetford, Christina Verlinde, Christina Verlinde, andGabriel Campbell

B. A. Sellers, J. A. Ferrell, G. E. MacDonald, S. F. Enloe, and S. L. Flory

W. A. Overholt, R. Diaz, M. Hanson, D. Williams, B. A. Sellers, and J. P. Cuda

Shawn Steed, Chris Marble, Nathan S. Boyd, Andrew W. MacRae, andKiran Fnu

Pawel Petelewicz and Gregory E. MacDonald

This publication is a tool to aid turfgrass professionals, Extension specialists, and clientele in the identification and management of goosegrass in Florida turfgrasses. Written by Pawel Petelewicz and Gregory E. MacDonald, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agronomy, February 2025.

Patrick J. Minogue andSeth Wright

A UF/IFAS numbered Management. in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Invasive Species

Edward F. Gilman, Ryan W. Klein, and Gail Hansen

This document provides an overview of the ‘Silverbell’ Japanese silver grass (Miscanthus sinensis ‘Silverbell’), an ornamental grass known for its distinctive yellow-banded leaves and pink flowers. It details the plant’s characteristics, including its height, spread, growth rate, and seasonal changes. The document also covers its uses in landscaping, such as mass planting, borders, and containers, and highlights its adaptability to various soil types and drought tolerance. Additionally, it mentions other cultivars of Miscanthus sinensis and provides guidance on planting and maintenance. Original publication date October 1999.

Edward F. Gilman, Ryan W. Klein, and Gail Hansen

This document provides an overview of Miscanthus sinensis ‘Zebrinus’, commonly known as ‘Zebrinus’ Japanese silver grass or zebra grass. It describes the plant’s distinctive features, including its variegated yellow-striped foliage, pink flowers, and weeping growth habit. The grass is noted for its adaptability to various soil types, moderate drought tolerance, and preference for full sun. It is used in landscapes for mass planting, borders, containers, and as an accent or screen4. The document also highlights the plant’s hardiness, growth rate, and ornamental value, along with its minimal pest issues and occasional rust disease. Original publication date October 1999.

Edward F. Gilman, Ryan W. Klein, and Gail Hansen

This document provides an overview of blue oat grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens), a perennial ornamental grass known for its attractive blue or blue-green foliage. It details the plant’s characteristics, including its height, spread, growth rate, and leaf structure. The document also covers the plant’s preferred growing conditions, such as full sun exposure and well-drained soil, and its moderate drought tolerance. Additionally, it highlights the plant’s uses in landscaping, its non-invasive nature, and its general availability within its hardiness range. The document concludes with care tips, noting that blue oat grass requires minimal maintenance and is generally pest-resistant. Original publication date October 1999.

Edward F. Gilman, Ryan W. Klein, and Gail Hansen

This document provides an overview of Miscanthus sinensis ‘Gracillimus’, commonly known as ‘Gracillimus’ maiden grass. It describes the plant’s physical characteristics, including its fine-textured, fountain-like foliage, and its pink or silvery plumes that persist into winter. The document highlights the plant’s adaptability to various soil types, its moderate drought tolerance, and its preference for full sun. It also discusses the plant’s uses in landscaping, such as mass planting, borders, and as an accent or screen. Additionally, it mentions other cultivars of Miscanthus sinensis and notes that the plant is generally pest-resistant, with occasional rust diseases that typically resolve in dry weather. Original publication date September 1999.

Edward F. Gilman, Ryan W. Klein, and Gail Hansen

This document provides information on Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaceum), a Category 2 invasive plant in Florida. It describes the plant’s characteristics, including its fine-textured foliage, showy flowers, and potential invasiveness. The grass is noted for its ornamental use in landscapes, with details on its growth habits, planting requirements, and hardiness zones. The document also highlights the plant’s moderate drought tolerance and lack of serious pests or diseases. Additionally, it mentions the cultivar ‘Rubrum’ with its reddish foliage and flowers. The aim is to encourage the removal of this plant from landscapes and discourage its purchase at nurseries due to its invasive potential. Original publication date October 1999.

Edward F. Gilman, Ryan W. Klein, and Gail Hansen

This document provides an overview of Miscanthus sinensis ‘Morning Light’, commonly known as ‘Morning Light’ maiden grass. It describes the plant’s physical characteristics, including its height, spread, and fine-textured foliage. The document highlights its ornamental uses in landscapes, such as mass planting, borders, and as an accent. It also covers the plant’s adaptability to various soil types, its drought tolerance, and its preference for full sun. Additionally, the document mentions the plant’s invasive potential and provides information on its propagation and pest resistance. Original publication date September 1999.

Edward F. Gilman, Ryan W. Klein, and Gail Hansen

This document provides an overview of the ‘Weserbergland’ dwarf cultivar of fountain grass, scientifically known as Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Weserbergland’. It describes the plant’s characteristics, including its height, spread, and growth habits. The grass features white, bottle brush-like inflorescences that persist into fall and bright green foliage that turns golden brown in autumn. It is noted for its fine texture and graceful fountain shape, making it suitable for mass planting, containers, and borders. The document also covers its planting requirements, such as full sun and well-drained soils, and mentions its high drought tolerance and pest resistance. Additionally, it highlights the plant’s ornamental value and provides guidance on propagation through division. Original publication date October 1999.

Edward F. Gilman, Ryan W. Klein, and Gail Hansen

A UF/IFAS numbered Organism ID.

Yuvraj Khamare, Candice Prince, and Chris Marble

Torpedograss is one of the most invasive perennial grass species in Florida landscapes. This new 5-page publication of the UF/IFAS Environmental Horticulture Department was written for green industry professionals and others to aid in the identification and management of torpedograss in landscape planting beds. Written by Yuvraj Khamare, Candice Prince, and Chris Marble.

Edward F. Gilman, Ryan W. Klein, and Gail Hansen

Spartina bakeri (Marsh Grass or Sand Cordgrass) is a hardy, clumping grass native to Florida. It grows 4-5 feet tall, thrives in wetland areas, and is drought and salt-tolerant. Commonly used in erosion control and wetland restoration, it also works well as an ornamental plant due to its graceful arching leaves. It prefers full sun and moist soils but can adapt to drier conditions. Original publication date October 1999.

Debbie Miller, Mack Thetford, Christina Verlinde, Christina Verlinde, andGabriel Campbell

A UF/IFAS numbered Program Material. in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Natural resources operations and Invasive Species

Edward F. Gilman, Ryan W. Klein, and Gail Hansen

This document provides an overview of Muhlenbergia capillaris, commonly known as muhly grass. It describes the plant’s physical characteristics, including its height, spread, and growth habit. The document highlights the plant’s adaptability to various soil types and environmental conditions, such as drought and flooding. It also outlines the plant’s uses in landscaping, emphasizing its ornamental features and low maintenance requirements. Additionally, the document notes that muhly grass is native to Florida and is not known to be invasive. Original publication date September 1999.

Ping Yu, Chris Marble, andErnest Kraka

Johnsongrass is a warm-season perennial grass and one of the most persistent and troublesome weeds in the southern United States. This new 5-page publication of the UF/IFAS Environmental Horticulture Department was developed to help commercial nursery growers, landscapers, and other green industry professionals identify and manage johnsongrass. Written by Ping Yu, Ernest Kraka, and Chris Marble.

Edward F. Gilman, Ryan W. Klein, and Gail Hansen

This document provides an overview of red fountain grass, scientifically known as Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’. It describes the plant’s physical characteristics, including its reddish foliage, purple-pink or copper-colored flowers, and its height and spread. The document highlights the plant’s growth requirements, such as full sun exposure and well-drained soil, and notes its moderate drought tolerance. Additionally, it discusses the plant’s potential invasiveness and its use in landscaping as an ornamental grass. The document also mentions that red fountain grass is generally free from serious pests and diseases. Original publication date October 1999.

Edward F. Gilman, Keighly Graves, Tom Wichman, Wendy Wilber, Claire Lewis, Gail Hansen, andRyan Klein

Reed grass is a fine-textured ornamental grass with showy spike-like inflorescences and attractive seed heads. This plant can be used in a variety of ways in the landscape including mass plantings, as a specimen, in habitat restoration, and flower arrangements.

Edward F. Gilman, Ryan W. Klein, and Gail Hansen

This document provides an overview of the dwarf cultivar of fountain grass, Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Hameln’. It describes the plant’s characteristics, including its height, spread, and growth rate, as well as its ornamental features such as its white, bottle brush-like inflorescence and bright green foliage that turns golden brown in the fall. The document also covers the plant’s preferred growing conditions, including full sun and well-drained soils, and its high drought tolerance. Additionally, it highlights the plant’s uses in landscaping, its non-invasive nature, and its pest resistance. The propagation method by division every 5 to 10 years is also mentioned. Original publication date October 1999.

Edward F. Gilman, Ryan W. Klein, and Gail Hansen

This document provides an overview of Miscanthus sinensis ‘Purpurascens’, commonly known as maiden grass or flame grass. It describes the plant’s physical characteristics, including its height, spread, and distinctive reddish-purple fall color. The document highlights its uses in landscaping, such as mass planting, borders, and as an accent plant. It also covers the plant’s growth requirements, including its preference for full sun and well-drained soils, as well as its moderate drought tolerance. Additionally, the document mentions the plant’s invasive potential and the absence of serious pest issues. Original publication date September 1999.