STIPA SPARTEA Trin.

Porcupine Grass

 

 

FAMILY: Gramineae (Poaceae)

HABIT: Herbaceous, sparingly caespitose perennial, 5-12 dm.; flowering May, June.

SIMILAR SPECIES: The genus Stipa is distinctive. Two species occur in Ohio, both rare. Identification is based upon technical characters.

TOTAL RANGE: Ont. to B.C., s. to w. PA, n. OH, n. IN, MO, e. KS, and NM.

STATE RANGE: There are post-1960 records from Fulton, Lucas, and Wood counties. There are pre-1960 records from Erie County.

STATE STATUS: 1980-1983: Endangered, 1984 to present: Threatened.

HABITAT: In full sun, often in sand; prairies, dunes, oak woods. In Ohio, currently known only from beach ridges of postglacial lakes.

HAZARDS: When young, this is a palatable grass subject to grazing. Also, overshading by woody species as a result of succession.

RECOVERY POTENTIAL: Unknown, but presumed good, as it is tolerant of moderate disturbance.

INVENTORY GUIDELINES: Mature flowering material is needed for identification.  Collect the underground parts and note density of basal tufts.

COMMENTS: This grass should be sought in appropriate habitats in northwestern Ohio. It is quite conspicuous and not likely to be overlooked.

SELECTED REFERENCES:

 

Braun, E.L. 1967. The Monocotyledoneae [of Ohio]: Cat-tails to orchids. The Ohio State Univ. Press, Columbus OH. 464 pp.

 

Dore, W.G. and J. McNeill. 1980. Grasses of Ontario. Agric. Canada Monograph 26. 556 p.

Hitchcock, A.S. 1925. The North American species of Stipa. Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 24: 215-262.

Hitchcock, A.S. 1951. Manual of grasses of the United States. Ed. 2, rev. by A. Chase, U.S. Dep. Agr. Misc. Publ. 200. 1051 p.

 

 

Ohio Department of Natural Resources

Division of Natural Areas and Preserves

Created: 2/1984 David Spooner

Database Code: SPGH.G67