Black-Fruited Rice Grass
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(Oryzopsis racemosa)
Black-Fruited Rice Grass (Oryzopsis racemosa)
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Reuven Martin
Public Domain
Image By:
Reuven Martin
Recorded By:
Copyright:
Public Domain
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Reuven Martin | License Type: Public Domain | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/ | Rights Holder: Reuven Martin | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2019-06-08T12:39:39-07:00 |
Summary
Oryzopsis racemosa, commonly known as Black-Fruited Rice Grass, is a perennial grass that exhibits evergreen or semi-deciduous characteristics. It is native to a variety of habitats including dry sandy or gravelly soils, open woods, clearings, pine barrens, and wooded slopes in Eastern North America. This grass typically grows to a height and width of 1-3 feet (0.3-0.9 meters), forming dense tufts of fine-textured foliage. The inflorescences are subtle, with the dark-colored grains giving the plant its common name. Flowering occurs in late spring to early summer, and while the flowers are not particularly showy, they add a fine-textured element to the landscape.
Black-Fruited Rice Grass is valued for its adaptability to a range of soil conditions and its ability to thrive with minimal care, making it a suitable choice for naturalistic plantings and restoration projects. It is often used in wildflower meadows, as a ground cover, or for erosion control on slopes. This grass prefers part shade to full sun. It is also appreciated for its contribution to biodiversity, providing habitat and food for wildlife. While generally low-maintenance, it can be susceptible to rust diseases under certain conditions.CC BY-SA 4.0
Black-Fruited Rice Grass is valued for its adaptability to a range of soil conditions and its ability to thrive with minimal care, making it a suitable choice for naturalistic plantings and restoration projects. It is often used in wildflower meadows, as a ground cover, or for erosion control on slopes. This grass prefers part shade to full sun. It is also appreciated for its contribution to biodiversity, providing habitat and food for wildlife. While generally low-maintenance, it can be susceptible to rust diseases under certain conditions.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Grass
- Height: 1-3 feet
- Width: 1-3 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Part Shade, Full Sun
- Drainage: Medium, Fast
Common Uses
Erosion Control, Low Maintenance
Natural Habitat
Dry sandy or gravelly soils, open woods, clearings, pine barrens, and wooded slopes in Eastern North America
Other Names
Common Names: Black-Seeded Mountain-Rice Grass
Scientific Names: Oryzopsis racemosa, Patis racemosa, Piptatherum racemosum, Oryzopsis melanocarpa, Milium racemosum, Piptatherum nigrum, Urachne melanosperma, Urachne racemosa
GBIF Accepted Name: Oryzopsis racemosa (Sm.) Ricker ex Hitchc.