Pursh's blue maidencane is an annual grass in the Poaceae (grass) family. It was named after botanist Frederick Pursh in 1950. It is found in sandy pine forests, wet pine savannas, wetlands, ponded locations, and small bays along the shores and rivers of the eastern United States from New Jersey to Georgia. It is typically found in places where sphagnum moss grows. Trampling along the shoreline by ATV's and foot traffic and overgrowth are considered threats to the survival of this plant. In North Carolina, it can be found in numerous coastal counties, however, it is considered as a Watch List species. Its growth habit is quite similar to peanuts, with the plant producing subterranean fruits early in the growing season and aerial fruits later in the growing season. Both types of fruits are fertile. Its flowers occur in scaly structures called spikelets and are raised above the leaves on narrow, erect branches. They appear in the form of a panicle, with lengths of 8". Its leaves, sheaths and blades are all pubescent. The lower blades can reach heights of up to 30", with a width of one-half inch. The upper leaves are narrower. The plant has been used in wetland restoration and soil stabilization. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Foliar nematodes, root rot, bacterial leaf scorch, and various insect pests like Japanese beetles or armyworms are potential problems.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
Sand
Soil drainage
Occasional Flooding | Occasionally Wet
Available space
Less than 12 inches
NC region
Coastal
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Ascending; Erect
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Sheath
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Linear
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
The linear or lanceolate hairy leaves are mostly basal.
Flower color
Brown/Copper; Green
Flower form
Insignificant; Panicle
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Two types of flowers are produced by this plant. The aerial flowers produce conventional seeds, while underground self-fertile flowers produce underground seeds.