Koeleria macrantha (Ledeb.) Schult.
Prairie Junegrass, Junegrass, Prairie Koeler's grass
Poaceae (Grass Family)
Synonym(s): Koeleria albescens, Koeleria cristata, Koeleria cristata var. longifolia, Koeleria cristata var. pinetorum, Koeleria gracilis, Koeleria nitida, Koeleria pyramidata, Koeleria yukonensis
USDA Symbol: KOMA
This 1-2 ft., perennial bunchgrass bears dense, silvery green, spike-like seedheads which start growth very early in spring and turn tan by mid-summer. The leaves of June grass are gray-green.
Prairie Koelers Grass is a cool-season grass, dormant in late summer. On the Pacific coast there is a rather large, loosely tufted form with a more open seed head.
From the Image Gallery
Plant CharacteristicsDuration: Perennial
Size Class: 1-3 ft.
Bloom InformationBloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun
DistributionUSA: AK , AL , AR , AZ , CA , CO , DE , HI , IA , ID , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , MT , ND , NE , NM , NV , NY , OH , OK , OR , PA , SD , TX , UT , VT , WA , WI , WY
Canada: AB , BC , MB , NL , ON , SK
Native Distribution: Ont. to B.C., s. to PA, OH, LA & Mex.; introduced in the Northeast
Native Habitat: Dry, sandy prairies; open woods; rocky slopes
Growing ConditionsWater Use: High
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Sandy or rocky soils.
Conditions Comments: Because June grass is a cool-season grass, companion plants should be chosen to mask its late-summer dormancy. On the Pacific coast there is a rather large, loosely tufted form with a more open seed head.
Value to Beneficial InsectsProvides Nesting Materials/Structure for Native Bees
This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
PropagationDescription: Propagate by seed sown unstratified in fall or statified in spring. Sow 1/4 deep. Seed germinated best when weather is cool. Seedlings are almost invisible when first emerging. 1- to 3-year old plants may be divided in early spring.
Seed Collection: Collect in Sep. and Oct.
Seed Treatment: Dry stratification is beneficial.
Commercially Avail: yes
Find Seed or Plants
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.
Mr. Smarty Plants says
Groundcover for erosion control
September 23, 2008
I live in southern california. What is the best groundcover to plant on a slope to prevent erosion?
view the full question and answer
From the National Suppliers DirectoryAccording to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:
Edge of the Woods Native Plant Nursery - Orefield, PA
Prairie Nursery - Westfield, WI
From the National Organizations DirectoryAccording to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:
North American Native Plant Society - Etobicoke, ON
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
BibliographyBibref 946 - Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes (2002) Wasowski, Sally
Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.
Bibref 1294 - The Midwestern Native Garden: Native Alternatives to Nonnative Flowers and Plants An Illustrated Guide (2011) Adelman, Charlotte and Schwartz, Bernard L.
Search More Titles in Bibliography
Additional resourcesUSDA: Find Koeleria macrantha in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Koeleria macrantha in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Koeleria macrantha
MetadataRecord Modified: 2012-10-03
Research By: TWC Staff