About Muhlenbergia asperifolia (Nees & Meyen ex Trin.) Parodi
Muhlenbergia asperifolia is a rhizomatous perennial grass. It grows in decumbent, spreading, or erect forms, reaching a maximum height of around 60 cm, or 2 feet. Its inflorescence is a very open, wispy structure made of many thin, outstretched branches; each individual branch can grow up to 14 cm, or 5.5 inches, long. The spikelets located at the tips of these branches measure only 1 to 2 mm, or 0.039 to 0.079 inches, long. In cultivation and restoration use, Muhlenbergia asperifolia is a valuable grass for habitat restoration and revegetation projects focused on disturbed habitat in the southwest United States. This includes use especially in riparian zones of California and the Intermountain West. It is often planted alongside alkali sacaton (Sporobolus airoides) for riparian zone restoration work along the Mojave River and other areas of the Mojave Desert. Once established, it forms a dense groundcover.
