Muhlenbergia richardsonis, commonly referred to as mat muhly, is a rhizomatous perennial grass native to diverse habitats across North America, including alpine meadows, talus slopes, wetlands, and prairies. Its range extends from Canada and Alaska through the western contiguous United States to Baja California, Mexico. Mat muhly typically forms dense, knotted mats with stems up to 16 inches long and slender, blue-green leaves that are 2-3 inches in length. The plant produces narrow, cylindrical inflorescences with single-flowered spikelets that are less conspicuous than the foliage. It is adapted to a variety of soil types, from wet alkaline soils to dry desert conditions.

Mat muhly is valued for its ability to stabilize soil and for its low maintenance requirements, making it suitable for restoration projects and naturalized landscaping. It thrives in full sun to part shade and prefers well-drained soils, tolerating both dry and moist conditions. While not commonly used in ornamental horticulture, it can be an effective ground cover in appropriate settings. Mat muhly is also notable for its ecological role as the sole food plant for the leafhopper Flexamia huroni. Gardeners should be aware that in some environments, it may spread aggressively through its rhizomes.CC BY-SA 4.0