Saccharum alopecuroides: Country Or Region Of Origin
Eastern and central U.S.A.
Plant Profile: Saccharum alopecuroides
Taxonomy: Saccharum alopecuroidesNames
Silver Plume Grass
Phonetic Spelling:SAK-er-um al-oh-pek-yur-OH-id-eez
Genus:Saccharum
Species:alopecuroides
Family:Poaceae
Silver Plume Grass is an indigenous ornamental species that thrives in the eastern and central regions of the United States, often seen along roadsides, in fields, and at the edges of woodlands. It flourishes particularly well in meadows and other natural habitats.
Saccharum alopecuroides Feature Summary
Saccharum alopecuroides Image Gallery
Tags
#wildlife plant
#NC native
#fields
#native ornamental grass
#larval host plant
#food source herbage
#coastal FAC
#Piedmont Mountains FAC
#bird friendly
#food source hard mast fruit
#mammals
#butterfly friendly
#butterfly larvae
#pollinator garden
#audubon
#woodlands
#common wood-nymph butterfly
#various skipper butterflies
Similar Plants
Saccharum alopecuroides Feature Summary
Attributes
Eastern and central U.S.A.
This is a larval host plant that supports various skipper larvae and Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala) which have one brood from late May to October. Adult Common Wood-Nymph butterflies feed on rotting fruit and flower nectar.
Perennial
Fruit
Fruits are available November-December.
Fall
Winter
Flowers
Flowers bloom in October.
Whole Plant Traits
Perennial
Native Plant
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Cultural Conditions
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Moist
Occasionally Dry
Coastal
Mountains
Piedmont
Leaves
Stem
Landscape
Butterfly Garden
Pollinator Garden
Native Garden
Woodland
Butterflies
Pollinators
Songbirds
Small Mammals
Saccharum alopecuroides Image Gallery
Saccharum alopecuroides Attributes
Saccharum alopecuroides: Wildlife Value
This is a larval host plant that supports various skipper larvae and Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala) which have one brood from late May to October. Adult Common Wood-Nymph butterflies feed on rotting fruit and flower nectar.
Saccharum alopecuroides: Life Cycle
Annual
Biennial
Bulb
Perennial
Woody
Saccharum alopecuroides Fruit
Saccharum alopecuroides: Fruit Description
Fruits are available November-December.
Saccharum alopecuroides: Display/Harvest Time
Fall
Spring
Summer
Winter
Saccharum alopecuroides Flowers
Saccharum alopecuroides: Flower Description
Flowers bloom in October.
Saccharum alopecuroides: Flower Bloom Time
Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall
Saccharum alopecuroides Whole Plant Traits
Saccharum alopecuroides: 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
Saccharum alopecuroides Cultural Conditions
Saccharum alopecuroides: 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)
Saccharum alopecuroides: Soil Drainage
Frequent Standing Water
Good Drainage
Moist
Occasional Flooding
Occasionally Dry
Occasionally Wet
Very Dry
Saccharum alopecuroides: NC Region
Coastal
Mountains
Piedmont
Saccharum alopecuroides Leaves
Saccharum alopecuroides: Hairs Present
No
Yes
Saccharum alopecuroides Stem
Saccharum alopecuroides: Stem Is Aromatic
No
Yes
Saccharum alopecuroides Landscape
Saccharum alopecuroides: Landscape Theme
Asian Garden
Butterfly Garden
Children's Garden
Cottage Garden
Cutting Garden
Drought Tolerant Garden
Edible Garden
English Garden
Fairy Garden
Garden for the Blind
Native Garden
Nighttime Garden
Pollinator Garden
Rain Garden
Rock Garden
Shade Garden
Water Garden
Winter Garden
Saccharum alopecuroides: 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
Saccharum alopecuroides: Attracts
Bats
Bees
Butterflies
Frogs
Hummingbirds
Moths
Pollinators
Predatory Insects
Reptiles
Small Mammals
Songbirds
Specialized Bees
