Jobs Tears

Coix lacryma-jobi

In the Carolinas and Georgia, found in disturbed areas, perhaps merely a waif. Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Carolinas & Georgia edition What its natural habitat tells you

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Not native

Not native to Louisiana. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 82%

Height: 3–6 feet
Spread: 6 inches–2 feet
Light: Full sun
Soil moisture: Usually moist

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Coix lacryma-jobi — fruit photograph — no rights reserved · CC0 · Original photograph

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Longspike Fluffgrass
Tridens strictus
Sun: Partial shade, Full sun. Soil: Dry to moist. Flowers: Green.
Similar growth form, height, bloom season
Sweet Woodreed
Cinna arundinacea
Sun: Full sun to part shade. Soil: Average to wet. Flowers: Green.
Similar growth form, height, spread

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At a glance

Life cycle: Annual or perennial
Bloom: July to September

JFMAMJJASOND

Not yet recorded · Leaves

Recorded in 1 Louisiana parish.

Natural habitats

Places it grows wild. Not a planting requirement. Each habitat page lists the plants and wildlife also found there.

Roadsides, fields and disturbed ground

Ground opened by people: roadsides, old fields, pastures, fencerows and lots.

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

1CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including LA

Genus host records with ranges including LA · Coix

Blastobasis graminea

Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)

—BeesSoutheastern regional records

—Specialist beesPollen specialists

—BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

Growing and identification

Plant details

Family: Poaceae
Hardiness: Zones 9a–11b
Soil pH: Acidic
Flower color: Blue or green

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope

Bloom · “July to September” · Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Carolinas & Georgia edition · Carolinas and Georgia
Flower color · “Blue or green” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Hardiness · “Zones 9a–11b” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Height · “3–6 feet” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Life cycle · “Annual or perennial” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Light · “Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Soil · “Moist; Occasionally wet” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Soil pH · “Acidic” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Spread · “6 inches–2 feet” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox

Conservation status

Louisiana rank	SNA
Global rank	Not available
LA status	Not verified
Federal status	Not verified

Conservation source

Sources