Muhlenbergia sylvatica, commonly known as Wood Muhly, is a perennial grass native to the understory of deciduous forests and moist, shaded woodland areas in the central and eastern United States. It typically grows to a height of up to 3 feet with a similar spread, forming clumps of fine-textured, green foliage. In late summer to fall, it produces airy, purplish inflorescences that are highly ornamental and add a soft texture to the garden landscape. The flowers are not particularly showy but do provide a subtle beauty in their natural setting.

Wood Muhly is appreciated for its adaptability to shaded conditions and its ability to thrive in moist, well-drained soils, making it a suitable choice for shaded garden settings, woodland gardens, and naturalized areas. It is often used as an accent plant or in mass plantings for a textured ground cover effect. While it prefers partial shade, it can tolerate a range of light conditions from full sun to full shade, provided it has sufficient moisture. It is relatively low-maintenance, requiring minimal care once established. However, it can be susceptible to rust diseases in overly wet conditions. Gardeners should be aware that while it is not aggressive, it can self-seed in optimal growing conditions.CC BY-SA 4.0