• Photo of Arrhenatherum elatius subsp bulbosum (Arrhenatherum elatius subsp bulbosums)

Plant Profile: Arrhenatherum elatius subsp bulbosum

Names

Bulbous Oat Grass, Tuber Oat Grass

  • Photo of Arrhenatherum elatius subsp bulbosum (Arrhenatherum elatius subsp bulbosums)

Phonetic Spelling:ah-ren-AH-ther-um el-AY-tee-us SUB-spee-shees bul-BOH-sum

Genus:Arrhenatherum

Species:elatius

Family:Poaceae

Cool-season grass thrives in cooler nights and dry summer conditions. While it may become susceptible to disease or enter dormancy during heat waves, it typically regenerates new growth in the fall. This grass can be easily cultivated in pots or used as ground cover, although it grows slowly and develops a bulbous storage organ at the base of its stem.

It flourishes in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil, though it can adapt to poorer and drier conditions. The plant forms a slowly spreading mound with a fine to medium texture; despite its spiky appearance, it is soft to the touch. It is drought-resistant and should not be subjected to foot traffic. Regular trimming is necessary, ideally in late spring or early summer, to maintain its health and appearance.

Arrhenatherum elatius subsp bulbosum Feature Summary

Arrhenatherum elatius subsp bulbosum Image Gallery

Tags

#full sun tolerant
#drought tolerant
#ornamental grass
#moist soil
#well-drained soil
#Cool season grass
#poor soils tolerant
#dry soils tolerant
#partial shade tolerant
#container plants

Similar Plants

Arrhenatherum elatius subsp bulbosum Feature Summary

Attributes
Macaronesia, NW. Africa, W. & S. Europe to Caucasus
Perennial
Flowers
Primarily grown for foliage; may not flower under hot, dry conditions
Brown/Copper
Insignificant
Whole Plant Traits
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Mounding
Spreading
Clumping
Medium
Cultural Conditions
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Good Drainage
4a
4b
5b
5a
6a
6b
7a
7b
8b
8a
9a
9b
Landscape

Arrhenatherum elatius subsp bulbosum Attributes

Arrhenatherum elatius subsp bulbosum: Country Or Region Of Origin

Macaronesia, NW. Africa, W. & S. Europe to Caucasus

Arrhenatherum elatius subsp bulbosum: Life Cycle

Annual
Biennial
Bulb
Perennial
Woody

Arrhenatherum elatius subsp bulbosum: Recommended Propagation Strategy

Division
Grafting
Layering
Leaf Cutting
Root Cutting
Seed
Stem Cutting

Arrhenatherum elatius subsp bulbosum Flowers

Arrhenatherum elatius subsp bulbosum: Flower Description

Primarily grown for foliage; may not flower under hot, dry conditions

Arrhenatherum elatius subsp bulbosum: Flower Color

filter_vintage
Brown/Copper
filter_vintage
Insignificant

Arrhenatherum elatius subsp bulbosum: Flower Bloom Time

Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall

Arrhenatherum elatius subsp bulbosum Whole Plant Traits

Arrhenatherum elatius subsp bulbosum: Plant Type

Annual
Bulb
Carnivorous
Edible
Epiphyte
Fern
Ground Cover
Herb
Herbaceous Perennial
Houseplant
Mushroom
Native Plant
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Perennial
Poisonous
Rose
Shrub
Succulent
Tree
Turfgrass
Vegetable
Vine
Water Plant
Weed
Wildflower

Arrhenatherum elatius subsp bulbosum: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics

Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen

Arrhenatherum elatius subsp bulbosum: Habit/Form

Arching
Ascending
Broad
Cascading
Climbing
Clumping
Columnar
Conical
Creeping
Dense
Erect
Horizontal
Irregular
Mounding
Multi-stemmed
Multi-trunked
Open
Oval
Prostrate
Pyramidal
Rounded
Spreading
Vase
Weeping

Arrhenatherum elatius subsp bulbosum: Growth Rate

Slow
Medium
Rapid

Arrhenatherum elatius subsp bulbosum: Texture

Fine
Medium
Coarse

Arrhenatherum elatius subsp bulbosum Cultural Conditions

Arrhenatherum elatius subsp bulbosum: Light

Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

Arrhenatherum elatius subsp bulbosum: Soil Drainage

Frequent Standing Water
Good Drainage
Moist
Occasional Flooding
Occasionally Dry
Occasionally Wet
Very Dry

Arrhenatherum elatius subsp bulbosum: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

thermostat
4a
thermostat
4b
thermostat
5a
thermostat
5b
thermostat
6a
thermostat
6b
thermostat
7a
thermostat
7b
thermostat
8a
thermostat
8b
thermostat
9a
thermostat
9b

Arrhenatherum elatius subsp bulbosum Leaves

Arrhenatherum elatius subsp bulbosum: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics

Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen

Arrhenatherum elatius subsp bulbosum: Leaf Color

spa
Green
spa
Variegated
spa
White

Arrhenatherum elatius subsp bulbosum: Hairs Present

No
Yes

Arrhenatherum elatius subsp bulbosum: Leaf Value To Gardener

Edible
Fragrant
Good Cut
Good Dried
Long-lasting
Showy

Arrhenatherum elatius subsp bulbosum Stem

Arrhenatherum elatius subsp bulbosum: Stem Is Aromatic

No
Yes

Arrhenatherum elatius subsp bulbosum Landscape

Arrhenatherum elatius subsp bulbosum: Design Feature

Accent
Barrier
Border
Flowering Tree
Foundation Planting
Hedge
Mass Planting
Screen/Privacy
Security
Shade Tree
Small groups
Small Tree
Specimen
Street Tree
Understory Tree

Arrhenatherum elatius subsp bulbosum: Resistance To Challenges

Black Walnut
Compaction
Deer
Diseases
Drought
Dry Soil
Erosion
Fire
Foot Traffic
Heat
Heavy Shade
Humidity
Insect Pests
Pollution
Poor Soil
Rabbits
Salt
Slugs
Squirrels
Storm damage
Urban Conditions
Voles
Wet Soil
Wind

Arrhenatherum elatius subsp bulbosum: Landscape Location

Coastal
Container
Hanging Baskets
Houseplants
Lawn
Meadow
Naturalized Area
Near Septic
Patio
Pond
Pool/Hardscape
Recreational Play Area
Riparian
Rock Wall
Slope/Bank
Small Space
Vertical Spaces
Walkways
Woodland