Muhlenbergia expansa (DC.) Trin., cutover muhly 
DESCRIPTION 
Warm-season , perennial bunch grass. 
Height: 1 to 3 feet. 
Leaf blade: 12 to 14 inches long; narrow; wiry; tough; 
twists slightly at maturity ; margins fold or roll inward. 
Leaf sheath: Rounded; mostly basal; curls into fibrous mass 
at maturity. 
Ligule: White, papery membrane 1/8 to 1/4 inch long. 
Seedhead: Open, delicate, purple panicle 14 to 20 inches 
long; spikelets 1/4 inch long; short awns on glumes. 
GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS 
Makes major growth from April through September. A mix- 
ture of young, mature, and dead growth in a single clump is 
usual. Little, if any, growth is made during cool season. Summer 
growth, however, remains green during fall and winter. Seed- 
stalks produced in late August and September frequently persist 
through winter and early spring. 
DISTRIBUTION 
Throughout Coastal Plain from Virginia to northern Florida; 
southern half of Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Louisiana ; 
and east Texas. 
SITE ADAPTATION 
Adapted to level to very gently sloping, poorly drained strongly 
acid sands with a fine-textured subsoil. 
USE AND MANAGEMENT 
New growth of cutover muhly is fair forage. Old growth, 
which is partly green during winter, furnishes fair forage but 
livestock should be fed a protein supplement. 
Generally this grass makes up a small part of the plant com- 
munity. It is controlled by burning and grazing. It responds to 
proper grazing use and a grazing deferment of at least 60 days 
during growing season. 
Ill 
