Native Plant of the Month-
Bottlebrush Grass (Elymus hystrix)
Bottlebrush grass is a cool-season, tall, shade tolerant grass that forms small colonies by re-seeding. Easily recognizable by its unique spike arrangement that resembles a bottlebrush. Has a fibrous root system. Stems are erect, unbranched, and single or few from the base of the plant. Alternate leaves are evenly spaced along the stem and floppy. Spikes are single and loose at the top of the stem, turning tan when mature. Habitats include woodlands, riverbanks, and floodplains. A host plant for the Northern Pearly Eye butterfly caterpillar and other moth caterpillars. Deer prefer woodland forbs and usually leave this grass alone.