June grass (Koeleria macrantha, Mant. 2: 345 (1824))

Family: Poaceae

Author: (Ledeb.) Schult.

Bibliography: Mant. 2: 345 (1824)

Year: 1824

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Koeleria

Vegetable: False

Observations: Temp. Northern Hemisphere to Mexico

Description

June grass, known scientifically as Koeleria macrantha, is a resilient and versatile species of grass that belongs to the family Poaceae. This perennial plant is native to the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, extending as far south as Mexico, reflecting its adaptability to a range of climates and geographical locations.

First described in 1824 by botanist Friedrich August Marschall von Bieberstein and later classified by Schultes, June grass stands out for its capacity to thrive in diverse environments. Typically found in prairies, meadows, and open woodlands, it plays a crucial ecological role in these habitats by preventing soil erosion, providing forage for wildlife, and contributing to the overall health of grassland ecosystems.

June grass is notably recognized for its delicate, wispy flower spikes that emerge in early summer, giving the plant its common name. These flowers add subtle beauty to natural landscapes and are an indicator of the onset of June, marking the changing seasons. The plant’s fine-textured leaves form tufted clumps, which are both attractive and functional, acting as ground cover and helping to enhance soil stability.

One of the key characteristics of June grass is its drought tolerance, making it an excellent choice for xeriscaping and restoration projects, particularly in regions prone to dry conditions. Its hardiness and low-maintenance nature make it a favorite among gardeners and landscape designers aiming to achieve aesthetically pleasing yet sustainable green spaces.

In summary, Koeleria macrantha or June grass, is a significant component of the Poaceae family, valued for its environmental benefits, ease of cultivation, and natural beauty. Its presence from the northern reaches of the temperate zones to Mexico underscores its adaptability and ecological importance across a wide range of habitats.

Common Names

Eng: crested hair grass, crested hair-grass, june grass, prairie june grass, prairie junegrass, glaucous hair-grass, junegrass, prairie koeler’s grass
Dan: spinkel kambunke
Deu: zierliches schillergras
Swe: fin tofsäxing, hentotoppo
Fin: hentotoppo
Fra: koelérie grêle, koelérie à crêtes, keulérie accrêtée, keulérie à crêtes, koelérie à grandes fleurs
Nld: smal fakkelgras
Nob: grann kambunke
Nno: grann kambunke
Cym: brigwellt cribog, cribwellt
En: June grass, Crested hair grass, Prairie June grass, Prairie Junegrass, JUNEGRASS, Crested hair-grass, Glaucous Hair-Grass, Prairie Koeler’s grass
Ar: خويفيرة كبيرة الزهر
Be: Танканог тонкі
Bg: Едроцветен тънконог
Ca: Koèleria gracil
Zh: [艹／洽]草
Hr: Nježna smilica
Cs: Smělek štíhlý
Da: Spinkel kambunke
Nl: Smal fakkelgras, Gewoon Fakkelgras
Et: Sale haguhein
Fi: Hentotoppo
Fr: Koelérie grêle, Koelérie à crêtes, Keulérie accrêtée, Keulérie à crêtes, Koelérie à grandes fleurs, Koélérie grêle
De: Zierliches Schillergras, Großblütige Kammschmiele, Zarte Kammschmiele, Zierliche Kammschmiele
Hu: Nagyvirágú fényperje
It: Paléo steppico
Mn: Туяхан дааган сүүл
Nv: Tłʼoolétsʼózí
Nb: Grann kambunke
Nn: Grann kambunke
Sv: Fin tofsäxing, Hentotoppo
Cy: Cribwellt, Brigwellt Cribog
: Prairie junegrass

Synonyms

• Koeleria cristata var. macrantha ((Ledeb.) Griseb.)
• Koeleria cristata subsp. macrantha ((Ledeb.) Rothm.)
• Aira macrantha (Ledeb.)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Alabama (native)
• Alaska (native)
• Albania (native)
• Alberta (native)
• Amur (native)
• Arizona (native)
• Arkansas (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belgium (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• California (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Chita (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Delaware (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Inner Mongolia (native)
• Iowa (native)
• Iran (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Italy (native)
• Japan (native)
• Kansas (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kentucky (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Korea (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Krym (native)
• Louisiana (native)
• Maine (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Mississippi (native)
• Missouri (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• Montana (native)
• Nebraska (native)
• Nepal (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• Nevada (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• New York (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North Dakota (native)
• Northwest Territorie (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Oklahoma (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Poland (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Qinghai (native)
• Québec (native)
• Romania (native)
• Saskatchewan (native)
• South Dakota (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Texas (native)
• Tibet (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Tuva (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Utah (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Washington (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Wyoming (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yakutskiya (native)
• Yemen (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Yukon (native)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jul 10, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 10, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 5, 2009 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu MENAND (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 10, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken May 23, 2008 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu MENAND (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Fruit

Taken Aug 23, 2015 by EOL − Steve Matson (cc-by-nc)

Taken Aug 23, 2015 by EOL − Steve Matson (cc-by-nc)

Taken Aug 22, 2012 by EOL − Steve Matson (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Gerrit Davidse (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Gerrit Davidse (cc-by-nc-sa)

Habit

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Feb 3, 2008 by EOL − Keir Morse (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Aug 17, 2011 by EOL − RT Hawke (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Gerrit Davidse (cc-by-nc-sa)

Bark

Taken May 7, 2018 by Sylvie Dujardin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Feb 3, 2008 by EOL − Keir Morse (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Aug 3, 2008 by EOL − Zoya Akulova (cc-by-nc)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2705914)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:406615-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Koeleria macrantha (Ledeb.) Schult.)

Specifications

Growth form: Bunch

Growth habit: Graminoid

Growth rate: Rapid

Growth

Ph maximum: 8.0

Ph minimum: 6.0

Bloom months: [‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’]