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Common Velvet-grass

Holcus lanatus

In the Carolinas and Georgia, found in moist to wet meadows, pastures, disturbed areas, roadsides, hedge-rows, sometimes invasive in bogs, fens, and other natural wetlands. Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Carolinas & Georgia edition What its natural habitat tells you

-30
Harmful

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

Profile 82%

Height
About 3.3 feet
Light
Partial shade, Full sun
Soil moisture
Moist to wet
See native alternatives

Do not plant. Listed invasive in Louisiana.

Plant this instead

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  • Eastern Narrowleaf Sedge
    Carex amphibola

    Sun: Partial shade, Full shade, Full sun. Soil: Somewhat dry to average. Flowers: Green.

    Similar growth form, height, evergreen or deciduous

  • Bitter Panicgrass
    Panicum amarum

    Sun: Full sun. Soil: Dry to moist. Flowers: Pink.

    Similar growth form, height, evergreen or deciduous

  • Woolgrass Bulrush
    Scirpus cyperinus

    Sun: Full sun, Partial shade. Soil: Somewhat dry to moist. Flowers: Brown/copper or red.

    Similar growth form, height, evergreen or deciduous

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At a glance

Bloom
May to October
Fruiting season
Summer to fall

Not yet recorded · Spread · Life cycle · Leaves

Recorded in 7 Louisiana parishes.

Natural habitats

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

1 of 2

Wet meadows

Open, wet, grassy or sedgy ground that is not a bog.

Roadsides, fields and disturbed ground

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

All habitats

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

—CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including LA
—BeesSoutheastern regional records
—Specialist beesPollen specialists
—BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim
Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Poaceae
Flower color
Green
Growth rate
Moderate
Growth habit
Several stems
Foliage color
White-gray
Fruit begins
Summer
Fruit ends
Fall

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

Growing sources and scope
Also known as

Common Velvet grass; Soft Grass; Velvet Grass

Conservation status

Louisiana rankSNA
Global rankGNR
LA statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

Sources