Eriocoma lettermanii

Common Names

Letterman's Needlegrass

Summary

Letterman's needlegrass is a native, densely tufted perennial bunchgrass of the western United States that forms large clumps with erect stems roughly 15–150 cm tall. Leaves are short and slightly curly; the inflorescence is a panicle up to about 19 cm long with open branches bearing few spikelets; spikelets are about 6–10 mm long and carry awns 12–25 mm long with two kinks.

Propagation by seed requires no special treatment. It grows on dry slopes and meadows on soils ranging from sandy loam to clay loam, at elevations roughly 5,000–11,700 ft. Drought-tolerant, it greens early and provides fair to good forage for cattle when green and good for wildlife, especially early in the season; has been used for mine-spoil revegetation in Idaho and for erosion control. It forms large clumps, with grazing effects varying—heavy sheep grazing boosts presence on ranges, while ungrazed conditions allow other grasses to outcompete it.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

1-2.5 feet

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally partial shade.

Soil Type

Sandy loam, loam, silty clay loam, or clay loam soils

Soil Drainage

Dry, well-drained soils

Soil pH

Not specified

Bloom Color

Tan

Bloom Time

Summer

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Green

Growth Rate

Perennial

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Tillering (vegetative propagation)

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts butterflies, attracts small nongame birds and upland game birds