Pityopsis graminifolia (Michaux) Nuttall. Phenology: Jul-Oct. Habitat: Longleaf pine sandhills, other dry woodlands. Distribution: Se. NC south to n. FL, and west to s. MS.
Origin/Endemic status: Endemic
Taxonomy Comments: Semple & Bowers (1985) treated P. graminifolia as encompassing five varieties "that intergrade and hybridize, when the ploidy level is the same" (Semple & Bowers 1985). More recent work by Bridges and Orzell (2018b) and Nesom (2019a) have elevated most of these to species level, as reflected in this treatment. Nesom (2019a) interpreted P. graminifolia as mostly corresponding to the plants referred to P. graminifolia var. latifolia by Semple and Bowers (1985) and Semple (2006) in FNA. However, Semple (2019) clearly shows that the type of Inula graminifolia is a small-headed specimen with densely stipitate-glandular phyllaries, consistent with the characters of P. graminifolia var. graminifolia in Semple & Bowers (1985). Pending further study, this name must be used in that sense. This taxon is diploid (2n=18).
Other Comments: Plants best ascribed to P. graminifolia s.s. have been observed outside of the coastal plain in at least the Alabama Ridge and Valley (and likely in other states); identification and mapping of species in this complex is complicated and requires more parsing.
Synonymy ⓘ: = Pityopsis graminifolia (Michx.) Nutt. var. graminifolia — FNA20, Bridges & Orzell (2018b) in Weakley et al (2018a), Semple & Bowers (1985); < Chrysopsis graminifolia (Michx.) Elliott var. graminifolia — C; < Chrysopsis graminifolia (Michx.) Elliott var. microcephala (Small) Cronquist — SE1; ~ Heterotheca graminifolia (Michx.) Shinners; < Heterotheca microcephala (Small) Shinners var. microcephala — Bowers (1972); < Heterotheca nervosa (Willd.) Shinners var. microcephala (Small) Shinners ex H.E.Ahles — RAB; < Pityopsis graminifolia (Michx.) Nutt. — Fl7, K4, WH3; < Pityopsis microcephala (Small) Small — S, Nesom (2019a); Inula graminifolia Michaux. Basionym: Inula graminifolia Michx. 1803
Links to other floras: = Pityopsis graminifolia var. graminifolia - FNA20
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Wetland Indicator Status:
- Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: UPL (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
- Great Plains: FACU (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
- Midwest: UPL (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
Heliophily ⓘ: 8
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© Scott Ward, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Scott Ward source CC-BY | Original Image ⭷
© Jay Horn source | Original Image ⭷
© Scott Ward, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Scott Ward source CC-BY | Original Image ⭷
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© Scott Ward, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Scott Ward source CC-BY | Original Image ⭷
© Scott Ward, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Scott Ward source CC-BY | Original Image ⭷Feedback
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Horticultural Information
Intro: Erect, tufted perennial of sandhills, dry woodlands and forests (such as ridgetop pine/heath communities in the Mountains and maritime forest in the Coastal Plain) and road banks.
Stems: Stems often with basal offshoots, branched above; upper stem sparsely glandular-hairy to smooth.
Leaves: Leaves mostly basal with a few alternate leaves above; linear-lance-shaped; 4-12 in. long (reduced upward); covered with silvery-silky, closely pressed hairs.
Inforescence:
Flowers: Composite flowers (heads) on ascending upper branches, on stalks that are silky-hairy and sometimes glandular; heads 1/2-1 in. wide, consisting of 4-13 yellow ray florets encircling a center disk of 30-50 yellow tubular florets. Several unequal series of hairy bracts surround the bell-shaped base of each head.
Fruits:
Comments: Five varieties are often recognized in this highly variable species. Photo here is identified as P. graminifolia var. latifolia.
Height: 1-2 ft.
plant sale text: Narrowleaf Silkgrass is beautiful and easy to grow when given sun and good drainage. Not often offered for sale. During the spring and summer, its attractive foliage looks great even in high humidity or drought. The bright yellow flowers are borne on upright stems above its silvery grass like foliage. Silkgrass will tolerate moderate shade but flowers best in full sun. This plant is attractive to butterflies. It colonizes moderately and makes an effective, unusual groundcover for sunny areas.
bloom table text:
description: Erect, tufted perennial of sandhills, dry woodlands and forests (such as ridgetop pine/heath communities in the Mountains and maritime forest in the Coastal Plain) and road banks.
stems: Stems often with basal offshoots, branched above; upper stem sparsely glandular-hairy to smooth.
leaves: Leaves mostly basal with a few alternate leaves above; linear-lance-shaped; 4-12 in. long (reduced upward); covered with silvery-silky, closely pressed hairs.
inflorescence:
flowers: Composite flowers (heads) on ascending upper branches, on stalks that are silky-hairy and sometimes glandular; heads 1/2-1 in. wide, consisting of 4-13 yellow ray florets encircling a center disk of 30-50 yellow tubular florets. Several unequal series of hairy bracts surround the bell-shaped base of each head.
fruits:
comments: Five varieties are often recognized in this highly variable species. Photo here is identified as P. graminifolia var. latifolia.
cultural notes:
germination code:
native range: southeastern United States
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