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Grass (Poaceae)

ISM Herbarium : Prairie Herbs : Grass (Poaceae)

Stipa spartea (Porcupine Grass)
Porcupine Grass gets it name from the five to eight inch awn on each seed. (seen clearly in this specimen)The awn twists with changes in moisture and helps drill the seed right down into the soil.
Porcupine Grass grows in dry upland prairies, more frequently in the northern part of the tallgrass prairie region. It grows in small tufts, to a height of four feet.

Collection of the Illinois State Museum
ISM Herbarium Sheet #: 43891

<i>Stipa spartea</i> (Porcupine Grass)

ISM Herbarium : Prairie Herbs : Grass (Poaceae)

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