Muhlenbergia schreberi – Nimblewill (B&B.BW.CVR.DR.DRGHT.EC.GRD.H.M.NST.OP.RR)

Ecosystem Services:
(B)-Birds                                             (B&B)-Birds & Butterflies

(BTF)-Butterflies                             (BW)-Black Walnut Resistant

(DR)-Deer Resistant                      (DRGHT)-Drought Resistant

(EC)-Erosion Control                    (EVR)-Evergreen

(FC)-Fall Color                                 (FRG)-Fragrant

(GRD)-Groundcover                      (H)-Host plant

(HMR)-Hummingbirds                (M)-Mammals

(MTH)-Moths                                   (N)-Nectar

(NB)-Native Bees                            (NST)-Nesting Material

(OP)-Other pollinators                 (RR)-Rabbit Resistant

(SHWY)-Showy                                (SPC)-Specimen Plant

Nimblewill, is a fine-textured, mat-forming native perennial in the grass family. It is characterized by slender stems, erect early season growth, and narrow leaves that jut out horizontally in different directions.

Nimblewill tolerates a wide range of soil conditions, but it prefers to grow in disturbed areas like fields, along roads, woodland edges, or railroad tracks in partial sun and loam, sandy or rocky soils. It tolerates clay soil, full sun, and dense shade. This grass is considered a weed by many but it is also sold as a native warm-season lawn alternative in the south. It turns a distinctive tan color in the winter.

In the fall, attractive panicles of spikelets rise above the foliage. They are 3-15 inches long, one-inch wide, purplish-green, and silky. With maturity, the plant tends to sag and grow more horizontally. Reproduction is by seeds and stolons. The root system is fibrous and this grass can reproduce vegetatively by forming rootlets along the lower nodes of its culms. Even though it doesn’t have rhizomes, this grass often forms colonies.

A warm season grass, it is easy to pull from the ground, but any small piece left behind will start new growth. It is durable in the face of moderately cold temperatures and resistant to pest problems.

It is highly adaptable, often used as a native, no-mow lawn alternative in shady or moist areas.

Host Plant for butterflies in the Skipper family, and is known to support the Rusty Plum Aphid and the Short-winged Meadow Katydid.