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Tufted Hairgrass

Deschampsia cespitosa subsp. glauca

Found in thin soil of rock outcrops or barrens over calcareous, mafic, and ultramafic rocks (such as serpentine, amphibolite, limestone, and dolostone), seepages. Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Northern Tier edition What its natural habitat tells you

18
Modest

Native to West Virginia (estimated). How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 94%

Height
About 3.4 feet
Light
Full sun
Soil moisture
Dry to wet
Will it fit your yard?

At a glance

Bloom
June to July
Fruiting season
Summer to fall

Not yet recorded · Spread · Life cycle · Leaves

County records are not available.

Natural habitats

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

1 of 2

Glades, barrens and outcrops on limestone

Cedar glade in the Pennyroyal Plain, Simpson County
Limestone cedar glade. Shown: Pennyroyal Plain, Simpson County, Kentucky, a neighboring state.Cedar glade in the Pennyroyal Plain, Simpson County, Mason Brock (Masebrock), undated. Public domain. Source record.

Seeps and springs

Places where groundwater keeps the soil or rock wet, such as seepage slopes and spring runs.

All habitats

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

1CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including WV

Genus host records with ranges including WV · Deschampsia

  • Apamea sordensBordered Apamea, Rustic Shoulder-Knot
Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)
0BeesSoutheastern regional records
0Specialist beesPollen specialists
3BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

Recorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim · Deschampsia

  • Pooecetes gramineusVesper Sparrow
  • Spizella passerinaChipping Sparrow
  • Spizella pusillaField Sparrow
Hurlbert, Olsen, Sawyer & Winner 2021, Avian Diet Database, Scientific Data 8: 260 (CC0)

Direct food only: birds recorded eating this genus across North America. Caterpillars on host plants also feed nesting birds. NC Native Plant Society: butterfly gardening

No records yet · Ants · Beetles · Flies · Adult butterflies / moths · Other wasps · Other insects

Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Poaceae
Flower color
Yellow
Growth rate
Moderate
Growth habit
Grows in clumps
Foliage color
Green
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

Deschampsia cespitosa subsp. glauca; Poverty Oat Grass; Poverty Oatgrass; Tufted Hair Grass

Conservation status

West Virginia rankSNR
Global rankG5T5
WV statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

In your garden

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Sources