Silkgrass

A plant named "silkgrass" conjures up images of flashing silver, shining green, the play of light and shadow. Who would relegate such a plant to, "you still here?" status? Who else but yours truly, who never really took it seriously before looking at it close up recently. Although it may flower intermittently throughout the year, silkgrass, like many other members of the Aster family, blooms most heavily in fall. It has been showy for several weeks now (we're starting 2nd week of December) and shows no signs of slowing down.

Pityopsis graminifolia - Narrowleaf Silkgrass

Narrowleaf silkgrass, Pityopsis graminifolia, is one of 4 species found in Florida, and the only species of silkgrass occurring naturally in SW Florida. It is very variable in size and vigor. Currently botanists recognize 5 varieties, though they are not always easy to distinguish from each other. In scrub it tends to stay low to the ground, intermingled with grasses. In my garden, where it doesn't get any special care, but still has a much more favorable habitat than scrub or sandhills, it is more or less upright, with leaves 12 -16 inches long.

Habit Sketch

The plant grows as a clump, with long, grasslike leaves at the base. A tall blooming stalk grows from the center of the clump. The leaves on this stalk are also grasslike, and diminish in size as you move up. By the time you are within 4-5 inches of the heads, they are reduced to scale-like bracts.

Pityopsis graminifolia reproduces by rhizomes and seeds. It does not seem troubled by insect or disease pests, and it attracts various pollinators. The ray flowers are a clear, bright, pure yellow. The heads last several days, and the stalks can be cut for indoor flowers. The silver appearance comes from tiny hairs that cover virtually the entire plant. The bloom stalk and its leaves tends to be even hairier than the long leaves. The hairs no doubt contribute to the plant's incredible drought tolerance. In the right light an entire clump will shine brilliantly, blindingly silver.

Inflorescence and Middle Part of Stem

The plant would benefit from staking while it is blooming, and part of the reason for my lack of respect is that I've watched it falling all over itself and other plants for  years instead of doing anything about its untidy habit.

Now that I am in the process of simplifying the garden because I'm getting too old and creaky to take proper care of what I've got, I'm thinking very positively about transplanting some of my clumps to some particularly dry and exposed troublespots in the yard. If I can get it established there I can let it sprawl and spread as much as it wants. Given the right space it can shine literally and figuratively. I'm anxious to see what it can do.