ExplorePlants

bottlebrush grass

Elymus hystrix

Bottlebrush grass is a tall, fluffy grass that looks like a bottlebrush! It grows in clumps and is great for helping animals find shelter. It sways gently in the wind, making it fun to watch.

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The bottlebrush grass has distinctive bristly seed heads that resemble an old-fashioned bottle brush, featuring long, stiff awns. Its slender, flat green leaves form dense clumps, and the upright stems turn a straw-yellow colour in late summer.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassLiliopsidaOrderPoalesFamilyPoaceaeGenusElymus
bottlebrush grass
flowering trait badgegrasslike trait badgegrassland trait badgerapid_growing trait badge
bottlebrush grass

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

Despite its spiky look, it offers great shelter for small insects and animals.

Its seeds were traditionally ground into flour by Native American tribes.

The 'bottlebrush' part isn't a flower, but a group of developing seeds!

This grass can grow taller than many kids, reaching up to 5 feet!

Special abilities

Ability

Soil Defender

Bottlebrush grass has a strong, fibrous root system that grips the soil tightly, helping to prevent erosion from wind and rain.

Ability

Thirsty Survivor

Bottlebrush grass can thrive in drier conditions thanks to its efficient water use, allowing it to grow where other plants struggle.

Measurements & details

Height
60-150 cm
Spread
30-60 cm
Flower Size
10-25 cm
Bloom Season
Summer
Edible
Yes
Toxicity
None
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Wind

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Be careful not to pull the grass out of the ground; it needs to stay there to grow!

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is bottlebrush grass?

60-150 cm

How wide does bottlebrush grass spread?

30-60 cm

How big are the flowers on bottlebrush grass?

10-25 cm

When does bottlebrush grass bloom?

Summer

Is bottlebrush grass edible?

Yes

Is bottlebrush grass toxic?

None

What is bottlebrush grass's lifecycle?

Perennial

How is bottlebrush grass pollinated?

Wind

Snap Map

Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.

Loading map…

Recent Snaps

Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.

Where to spot

More Plants