Deer Grass
Muhlenbergia rigens
This photo was taken along Mesquite Wash, Four Peaks foothills, eastern Maricopa Co., Arizona, USA. May 2009.
PERENNIAL: May become partially dormant after severe frost or drought,
but remains alive with new growth from crown when conditions improve. Clumps
are typically a meter or more tall and wide.
LEAVES: Long blades are about a half cm wide and flat.
RANGE: Common in sandy washes near/in mountains in the Sonoran Desert:
requires a pretty good underground water source. Being pushed out by exotic
invasives: Buffel Grass, Fountain Grass and Tamarisk.
FLOWERS: Long, narrow spikes reach up 2 meters and flower late spring to
early fall.
UNARMED: