SIGHTINGS – GRASSES

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/30/20 Observation Time: 3:05 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Blue-eyed grass Scientific Name: Sisyrinchium angustifolium Comments: Blue-eyed grass grows in fields, meadows and the edges of wetlands. This clump was growing along the dirt road under the high-tension lines. Except in spring when its small, blue flowers make it conspicuous, this plant is hard to pick out among other kinds of grasses. Native Americans cooked and ate the greens, and used the plant medicinally to regulate the bowels. More Information: Go Botany

Observer: Paul Lauenstein

Observation Date: 6/2/19

Observation Time: 3:15 p.m.

Observation Location: Along the dirt road under the power lines on the other side of South Main Street from Ward’s Berry Farm

Common Name: Deer-tongue Grass

Scientific Name: Dichanthelium clandestinum

Comments: Deer-tongue grass is a perennial cool-season grass native to eastern North America. It grows to 2′ to 4′ tall. It is tolerant of low pH soils, high concentrations of aluminum, drought conditions, and infertile soils. For these reasons, it is used in revegetating acid mine sites. Deer-tongue grass prefers moist to wet sites and does best in full sun. This grass produces two seed crops; a spring crop in an open panicle and a fall crop that remains mostly enclosed in the leaf sheath. Birds eat the seed and the plant lodges during the winter forming a dense cover for wildlife.

More Information: Roundstone Native Seed

Observer: Paul Lauenstein

Observation Date: 7/12/20

Observation Time: 6:40 p.m.

Observation Location: along Gavins Pond Road

Common Name: Deer-tongue Grass

Scientific Name: Dichanthelium clandestinum

Comments: Deer-tongue grass is a perennial cool-season grass native to eastern North America. It can grow up to 4′ tall. It is tolerant of low pH soils, high concentrations of aluminum, drought conditions, and infertile soils. For these reasons, it is used in revegetating acid mine sites. Deer-tongue grass prefers moist to wet sites and does best in full sun. This grass produces two seed crops; a spring crop in an open panicle and a fall crop that remains mostly enclosed in the leaf sheath. Birds eat the seed and the plant lodges during the winter forming a dense cover for wildlife.

More Information: Roundstone Native Seed and Illinoiswildflowers.info

Observer: Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program employees

Observation Date: 9/4/20

Observation Time: 2:00 p.m.

Observation Location: undisclosed location in Sharon

Common Name: False Hop Sedge

Scientific Name: Carex lupuliformis

Comments: False Hop Sedge is an endangered species in Massachusetts. The NHESP observers said they saw only a few plants.

As of 9/4/20, this species does not appear on the list of rare species that have been documented in Sharon.

Please do not dig up or disturb plants you may encounter in the wild.

More information: Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program

Observer: Paul Lauenstein

Observation Date: 8/13/20

Observation Time: 2:25 p.m.

Observation Location: Gavins Pond Rd.

Common Name: Heller’s Rosette Grass

Scientific Name: Dichanthelium oligosanthes

Comments: I identified this peculiar clump of grass using a cool app called Seek. It sprang up in a cleared and mulched area where there was no competition from other grass.

More Information: Friends of the Wildflower Garden

Observer: Paul Lauenstein

Observation Date: 6/15/13

Observation Time: 2:30 p.m.

Observation Location: Conservation land beyond Sandy Ridge Circle

Common Name: Panic Grass

Scientific Name: Dichanthelium sp.

Comments: There are numerous kinds of panic grasses. This one was growing in a wooded area along the trail that parallels Beaver Brook, beginning at the Sandy Ridge Circle cul-de-sac.

More Information: Cape May Plants

Observer: Paul Lauenstein

Observation Date: 7/7/18

Observation Time: 12:50 p.m.

Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR)

Common Name: Reed Canary Grass

Scientific Name: Phalaris arundinacea

Comments: Reed canary grass has become invasive or problematic in New England and across North America, and the invasive plants may be the Eurasian genotype.

More Information: GoBotany

Observer: Paul Lauenstein

Observation Date: 5/12/11

Observation Time: 6:50 a.m.

Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon boardwalk

Common Name: Tussock Sedge

Scientific Name: Carex stricta

Comments: A clumping, upright sedge with narrow, yellowish green leaves. Reddish brown flowers bloom early summer. Prefers moist fertile soil but will tolerate dry or wet sites.

More Information: North Creek Nurseries

Observer: Paul Lauenstein

Observation Date: 5/8/19

Observation Time: 8:15 a.m.

Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon boardwalk

Common Name: Tussock Sedge

Scientific Name: Carex stricta

Comments: A clumping, upright sedge with narrow, yellowish green leaves. Reddish brown flowers bloom early summer. Prefers moist fertile soil but will tolerate dry or wet sites.

More Information: North Creek Nurseries