SIGHTINGS – GRASSES



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