Western Beakgrain

Diarrhena obovata

Found in alluvial forests, other moist forests. FloraQuest, phone app (app page) What its natural habitat tells you

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Not native

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

Profile 71%

Height: 2–3 feet
Spread: 2–3 feet
Light: Part shade to full shade
Soil moisture: Average to wet

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At a glance

Bloom: July to September

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Not yet recorded · Life cycle · Leaves

Recorded in 1 Virginia county.

Natural habitats

Places it grows wild. Not a planting requirement.

Regional / representative. Shown: Mountains of North and South Carolina; exact site not identified, a neighboring state.Shortia beneath rhododendrons in mountain woodland, Marian Ellis Rowan, 1901. Public domain. Source record.

Habitats

Floodplain and bottomland forests; moist forests.

Each habitat page lists the plants and wildlife also found there. All habitats

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

—CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including VA

—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 4–8

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

Growing sources and scope

Bloom · “July to September” · Prairie Moon 2026 Cultural Guide · Nursery cultural guide; height in flower; moisture categories retained as printed
Hardiness · “Zones 4–8” · Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder
Height · “2–3 feet” · Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder (ranked first; Prairie Moon 2026 Cultural Guide differs)
Light · “Part shade to full shade” · Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder (ranked first; Prairie Moon 2026 Cultural Guide differs)
Soil · “Medium to wet” · Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder (ranked first; Prairie Moon 2026 Cultural Guide differs)
Spread · “2–3 feet” · Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder

Also known as

Obovate Beakgrain

Conservation status

Virginia rank	SNA
Global rank	Not available
VA status	Not verified
Federal status	Not verified

Conservation source