Species PlantsNeedle and Thread Grass

Needle and Thread Grass

Nassella comata

CommonPlant
Illustration of Needle and Thread Grass (Nassella comata)

Needle and Thread Grass is a native bunchgrass of dry plains and prairies across western North America, with seeds tipped by extremely long, spiraling awns that help them screw into the soil when they fall. The 'needle and thread' appearance of the waving awns in wind is distinctive. It provides seeds for many grassland birds and is an important early-season grass for pronghorn.

Habitat
Dry shortgrass and mixed-grass prairies of the western Great Plains and Basin
Diet
Seeds eaten by many grassland birds; grazed by pronghorn and deer
How common
Common

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