Tall Trisetum
Trisetum canescens Buckl. (T. cernuum Trin.)
overview
Tufted perennial; stems often bent at base; 40-120 cm tall. Leaves flat, lax, 5-12 mm wide, with thin, prominent tips; no auricles; ligules 1.5-3 mm long. Inflorescence an open, loose nodding panicle, 10-30 cm long; second glume longer and much wider than the first, with a sharp tip; lemmas 5-6 mm long with a long bent awn from just above the middle and callus hairs about 1 mm long (Pojar and MacKinnon, 1994).
other names
nodding trisetum
family
Poaceae
ecological setting
Moist forest, stream-banks, upper beaches, thickets and clearings at low to mid elevations (Pojar and MacKinnon, 1994).
nutrients
Nitrogen-rich soils (Klinka et al., 1995).
moisture regime
Fresh to very moist (Klinka et al., 1995).
shade tolerance
Shade to partial sun (Klinka et al., 1995).
landscaping
Attractive ornamental grass in a shady, moist location.
collection and abstraction
Do not cover seed; merely press lightly into soil. Excellent germination in early March from fall sown seed. Good germination in 20 days with spring-sown seed in flats on a heat cable (20-22º C day, 10-12º C night). Remove from the heat cable once germination occurs (S. Bastin, personal communication).
vegetative propagation
Plant division a possibility but needs research (S. Bastin, personal communication).
additional info and photos
For more information and pictures, visit the E-Flora BC website at www.eflora.bc.ca.