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| ## cylinder jointtail grass {#cylinder-jointtail-grass .Title-Header} |
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| *Coelorachis cylindrica* (Michx.) Nash                                |
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| Plant Symbol = COCY                                                   |
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*Contributed By: USDA NRCS National Plant Data*

*Center*

![](media/image2.jpeg){width="2.792361111111111in" height="4.175in"}

## Alternate Names

*Manisuris* *campestris*, *Manisuris* *cylindrica*, Carolina jointtail
grass, Carolina jointtail

## Uses

Cylinder jointtail grass is grazed readily by all livestock.

# 

## Status

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for this plant's current status, such as, state noxious status
and wetland indicator values.

## Description

Grass Family (Poaceae). Cylinder jointtail grass is a native,
warm‑season, rhizomatous perennial grass. The height is between 1 and
3‑1/2 feet. The leaf blade is slender; pointed, 8 to 14 inches long,
flat at first, then rolled inward at maturity. The basal blades are
shorter than those higher on the stem. The leaf sheath is rounded, about
as long as the internodes. The stem is erect with swollen, purplish
node. The seedhead is a raceme, cylindric, slightly curved; seedhead 2
to 6 inches long. The spikelets are sessile, awnless, and in pairs at
the nodes of a thickened rachis.

# 

*Distribution*: For current distribution, please consult the Plant
Profile page for this species on the PLANTS Web site.

## Management

# This grass is never abundant enough to be a key management species. Proper use and management of associated grasses maintain it in the plant community.

# 

## Establishment

Cylinder jointtail grass growth starts in early spring. It produces
seedheads in May and June and seeds disseminate in early summer. It
becomes dormant in the fall. It reproduces from short, bulb‑shaped
rhizomes. It does not grow in pure stands, but is scattered throughout a
plant community and grows best on well‑drained soils.

## Cultivars, Improved and Selected Materials (and area of origin) 

Please contact your local NRCS Field Office.

## 

**Reference**

Leithead, H.L., L.L. Yarlett, & T.N. Shiflett. 1976. 100 native forage
grasses in 11 southern states. USDA SCS *Agriculture Handbook No. 389*,
Washington, DC.

## Prepared By & Species Coordinator:

*Percy Magee*, USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge,
Louisiana

Edited: 13may02 ahv; jul03 ahv; 20sep05 jsp; 070116 jsp

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

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