Muhlenbergia: A Love Affair with the Muhly Grasses
My name is Ferb Vu, and I have a confession to make: I’m utterly captivated by Muhlenbergia, the genus of grasses commonly known as the muhlys. These plants, with their airy inflorescences and graceful habits, have completely stolen my heart. Their beauty is a subtle one, not shouting for attention but whispering promises of delicate textures and captivating movement.
Perhaps it’s their adaptability that I admire most. Muhly grasses thrive in a variety of habitats, from arid deserts to moist meadows. They’re tough, resilient, and possess an understated elegance that I find incredibly appealing. They seem to embody the spirit of resilience, thriving where other plants struggle.
Or maybe it’s the sheer diversity within the genus that fascinates me. Over 175 species of Muhlenbergia exist, each with its own unique characteristics. Some, like Muhlenbergia capillaris, paint the landscape with clouds of pink inflorescences in the fall. Others, like Muhlenbergia rigens, stand tall and erect, their rigid stems creating a striking architectural presence.
A Closer Look at the Muhlys
- Muhlenbergia aguascalientensis Y.Herrera & De la Cerda
- Muhlenbergia alamosae Vasey
- Muhlenbergia alopecuroides (Griseb.) P.M.Peterson & Columbus
- Muhlenbergia andina (Nutt.) Hitchc.
- Muhlenbergia × angustata (J.Presl) Kunth
- Muhlenbergia annua (Vasey) Swallen
- Muhlenbergia appressa Goodd.
- Muhlenbergia arenacea (Buckley) Hitchc.
- Muhlenbergia arenicola Buckley
- Muhlenbergia argentea Vasey
- Muhlenbergia arizonica Scribn.
- Muhlenbergia arsenei Hitchc.
- Muhlenbergia articulata Scribn.
- Muhlenbergia asperifolia (Nees & Meyen ex Trin.) Parodi
- Muhlenbergia atacamensis Parodi
- Muhlenbergia aurea Swallen
- Muhlenbergia beyrichiana Kunth
- Muhlenbergia biloba Hitchc.
- Muhlenbergia brandegeei C.Reeder
- Muhlenbergia brevifolia Scribn. ex Beal
- Muhlenbergia breviligula Hitchc.
- Muhlenbergia brevis Goodd.
- Muhlenbergia breviseta E.Fourn.
- Muhlenbergia brevivaginata Swallen
- Muhlenbergia bryophilus (Döll) P.M.Peterson
- Muhlenbergia bushii R.W.Pohl
- Muhlenbergia californica Vasey
- Muhlenbergia capillaris (Lam.) Trin.
- Muhlenbergia capillipes (M.E.Jones) P.M.Peterson & Annable
- Muhlenbergia caxamarcensis Laegaard & Sánchez Vega
- Muhlenbergia cenchroides (Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.) P.M.Peterson
- Muhlenbergia ciliata (Kunth) Kunth
- Muhlenbergia coerulea (Griseb.) Mez
- Muhlenbergia crispiseta Hitchc.
- Muhlenbergia cristaliae Vigosa
- Muhlenbergia cualensis Y.Herrera & P.M.Peterson
- Muhlenbergia curtifolia Scribn.
- Muhlenbergia curtisetosa (Scribn.) Bush
- Muhlenbergia curviaristata (Ohwi) Ohwi
- Muhlenbergia cuspidata (Torr. ex Hook.) Rydb.
- Muhlenbergia decumbens Swallen
- Muhlenbergia depauperata Scribn.
- Muhlenbergia diandra (R.W.Pohl) P.M.Peterson
- Muhlenbergia distichophylla (J.Presl) Kunth
- Muhlenbergia diversiglumis Trin.
- Muhlenbergia dubia E.Fourn.
- Muhlenbergia dumosa Scribn. ex Vasey
- Muhlenbergia durangensis Y.Herrera
- Muhlenbergia duthieana Hack.
- Muhlenbergia elongata Scribn. ex Beal
- Muhlenbergia eludens C.Reeder
- Muhlenbergia emersleyi Vasey
- Muhlenbergia eriophylla Swallen
- Muhlenbergia expansa (Poir.) Trin.
- Muhlenbergia fastigiata (J.Presl) Henrard
- Muhlenbergia filiculmis Vasey
- Muhlenbergia filiformis (Thurb.) Rydb.
- Muhlenbergia flabellata Mez
- Muhlenbergia flavida Vasey
- Muhlenbergia flaviseta Scribn.
- Muhlenbergia flexuosa Hitchc.
- Muhlenbergia fragilis Swallen
- Muhlenbergia frondosa (Poir.) Fernald
- Muhlenbergia glabrifloris Scribn.
- Muhlenbergia glauca (Nees) Mez
- Muhlenbergia glomerata (Willd.) Trin.
- Muhlenbergia grandis Vasey
- Muhlenbergia gypsophila C.Reeder & Reeder
- Muhlenbergia hakonensis (Hack.) Makino
- Muhlenbergia himalayensis Hack. ex Hook.f.
- Muhlenbergia hintonii Swallen
- Muhlenbergia huegelii Trin.
- Muhlenbergia implicata (Kunth) Trin.
- Muhlenbergia inaequalis Soderstr.
- Muhlenbergia involuta Swallen
- Muhlenbergia iridifolia Soderstr.
- Muhlenbergia jaime-hintonii P.M.Peterson & Valdés-Reyna
- Muhlenbergia jaliscana Swallen
- Muhlenbergia japonica Steud.
- Muhlenbergia jonesii (Vasey) Hitchc.
- Muhlenbergia laxa Hitchc.
- Muhlenbergia lehmanniana Henrard
- Muhlenbergia ligularis (Hack.) Hitchc.
- Muhlenbergia ligulata (E.Fourn.) Scribn. & Merr.
- Muhlenbergia lindheimeri Hitchc.
- Muhlenbergia longiglumis Vasey
- Muhlenbergia longiligula Hitchc.
- Muhlenbergia lucida Swallen
- Muhlenbergia macroura (Kunth) Hitchc.
- Muhlenbergia majalcensis P.M.Peterson
- Muhlenbergia maxima Laegaard & Sánchez Vega
- Muhlenbergia mexicana (L.) Trin.
- Muhlenbergia michisensis Y.Herrera & P.M.Peterson
- Muhlenbergia microsperma (DC.) Kunth
- Muhlenbergia minutissima (Steud.) Swallen
- Muhlenbergia monandra AlegrÃa & Rúgolo
- Muhlenbergia montana (Nutt.) Hitchc.
- Muhlenbergia mucronata (Kunth) Trin.
- Muhlenbergia multiflora Columbus
- Muhlenbergia mutica (Rupr. ex Galeotti) Hitchc.
- Muhlenbergia myanmarensis Arum., G.V.S.Murthy & V.J.Nair
- Muhlenbergia nigra Hitchc.
- Muhlenbergia orophila Swallen
- Muhlenbergia palmeri Vasey
- Muhlenbergia palmirensis Grignon & Laegaard
- Muhlenbergia paniculata (Nutt.) P.M.Peterson
- Muhlenbergia pauciflora Buckley
- Muhlenbergia pectinata Goodd.
- Muhlenbergia pereilema P.M.Peterson
- Muhlenbergia peruviana (P.Beauv.) Steud.
- Muhlenbergia phalaroides (Kunth) P.M.Peterson
- Muhlenbergia phleoides (Kunth) P.M.Peterson
- Muhlenbergia pilosa P.M.Peterson, Wipff & S.D.Jones
- Muhlenbergia plumbea (Trin.) Hitchc.
- Muhlenbergia plumiseta Columbus
- Muhlenbergia polycaulis Scribn.
- Muhlenbergia porteri Scribn.
- Muhlenbergia pubescens (Kunth) Hitchc.
- Muhlenbergia pubigluma Swallen
- Muhlenbergia pungens Thurb.
- Muhlenbergia purpusii Mez
- Muhlenbergia quadridentata (Kunth) Trin.
- Muhlenbergia racemosa (Michx.) Britton, Sterns & Poggenb.
- Muhlenbergia rakhchamensis Arum., G.V.S.Murthy & V.J.Nair
- Muhlenbergia ramosa (Hack.) Makino
- Muhlenbergia ramulosa (Kunth) Swallen
- Muhlenbergia reederorum Soderstr.
- Muhlenbergia repens (J.Presl) Hitchc.
- Muhlenbergia reverchonii Vasey & Scribn.
- Muhlenbergia richardsonis (Trin.) Rydb.
- Muhlenbergia rigens (Benth.) Hitchc.
- Muhlenbergia rigida (Kunth) Kunth
- Muhlenbergia robusta (E.Fourn.) Hitchc.
- Muhlenbergia romaschenkoi P.M.Peterson
- Muhlenbergia schmitzii Hack.
- Muhlenbergia schreberi J.F.Gmel.
- Muhlenbergia scoparia Vasey
- Muhlenbergia seatonii Scribn.
- Muhlenbergia sericea (Michx.) P.M.Peterson
- Muhlenbergia setarioides E.Fourn.
- Muhlenbergia setifolia Vasey
- Muhlenbergia shepherdii (Vasey) Swallen
- Muhlenbergia sinuosa Swallen
- Muhlenbergia sobolifera (Muhl. ex Willd.) Trin.
- Muhlenbergia solisii (G.A.Levin) P.M.Peterson
- Muhlenbergia spatha Columbus
- Muhlenbergia speciosa Vasey
- Muhlenbergia spiciformis Trin.
- Muhlenbergia straminea Hitchc.
- Muhlenbergia stricta (J.Presl) Kunth
- Muhlenbergia strictior Beal
- Muhlenbergia subaristata Swallen
- Muhlenbergia subbiflora Hitchc.
- Muhlenbergia sylvatica Torr.
- Muhlenbergia tarahumara P.M.Peterson & Columbus
- Muhlenbergia tenella (Kunth) Trin.
- Muhlenbergia tenuiflora (Willd.) Britton, Sterns & Poggenb.
- Muhlenbergia tenuifolia (Kunth) Kunth
- Muhlenbergia tenuissima (J.Presl) Kunth
- Muhlenbergia texana Buckley
- Muhlenbergia thurberi (Scribn.) Rydb.
- Muhlenbergia torreyana (Schult.) Hitchc.
- Muhlenbergia torreyi (Kunth) Hitchc. ex Bush
- Muhlenbergia tricholepis (Torr.) P.M.Peterson
- Muhlenbergia uniflora (Muhl.) Fernald
- Muhlenbergia uniseta (Lag.) Columbus
- Muhlenbergia utilis (Torr.) Hitchc.
- Muhlenbergia vaginata Swallen
- Muhlenbergia venezuelae Luces
- Muhlenbergia versicolor Swallen
- Muhlenbergia villiflora Hitchc.
- Muhlenbergia virescens (Kunth) Kunth
- Muhlenbergia virletii (E.Fourn.) Soderstr.
- Muhlenbergia watsoniana Hitchc.
- Muhlenbergia wrightii Vasey ex J.M.Coult.
- Muhlenbergia xanthodas Soderstr.
Why I Advocate for Muhly Grasses
My admiration for muhly grasses extends beyond their aesthetic appeal. These plants are incredibly valuable in ecological restoration and sustainable landscaping. They’re drought-tolerant, requiring minimal water once established, and they provide crucial habitat and food sources for wildlife.
Muhly grasses also play a vital role in soil conservation. Their extensive root systems help prevent erosion, and their dense growth habit can suppress weeds. In a world facing increasing environmental challenges, these grasses offer sustainable solutions for landscaping and land management.
Muhly Grasses in the Garden
Incorporating muhly grasses into your garden is a rewarding endeavor. They provide multi-season interest, with their foliage offering texture and movement throughout the growing season and their inflorescences stealing the show in the fall.
Whether you’re looking to create a meadow-like planting, add a touch of whimsy to a border, or provide erosion control on a slope, there’s a muhly grass that’s perfect for the job.
Here are a few tips for growing muhly grasses:
- Choose the right species: Consider your climate, soil conditions, and the desired size and appearance of the plant.
- Plant in full sun: Muhly grasses thrive in sunny locations.
- Provide well-drained soil: While adaptable, muhlys don’t tolerate soggy conditions.
- Cut back in late winter or early spring: This encourages fresh growth and prevents the plants from becoming too woody.
With minimal care, muhly grasses will reward you with years of beauty and ecological benefits.
A Continuing Fascination
My journey with Muhlenbergia is an ongoing one. I’m constantly learning more about these fascinating plants, discovering new species, and exploring their potential in different landscape settings.
I encourage you to join me in appreciating the understated beauty and ecological value of muhly grasses. They’re a gift to the gardener and the environment, offering a unique blend of resilience, adaptability, and captivating charm.