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| ## slender hairgrass {#slender-hairgrass .Title-Header}               |
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| *Deschampsia elongata* (Hook.) Munro                                  |
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| Plant symbol = DEEL                                                   |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS Plant Materials Center, Corvallis, Oregon

##### Alternate Names {#alternate-names .Header-3}

Another scientific name is *Aira* *elongata.*

##### Uses {#uses .Header-3}

Slender hairgrass is a moderate to fast growing native bunchgrass useful
for erosion control along waterways, ditches, and streambanks, as well
as on other seasonally wet or recently disturbed sites. It can also be
sown as cover after logging in ravines and other moist forest areas.
This species has potential as a nurse crop for slower establishing,
longer lived species like California oatgrass (*Danthonia californica*)
or other native prairie and woodland grasses and herbs. Forage value is
fair to good prior to maturity. This is a versatile and underutilized
native grass. It is also regarded as an attractive ornamental grass
because of its fine texture, wispy seed heads, and golden color in
summer.

##### Status {#status .Header-3}

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for this plant's current status (e.g. threatened or endangered
species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

![](media/image3.jpeg){width="2.8in" height="4.141666666666667in"}

##### Description and Adaptation {#description-and-adaptation .Header-3}

Slender hairgrass is a moderate sized, fine textured, cool season grass.
It is generally a biennial or short-lived perennial under most
conditions. Stems (culms) are 40 to 80 (100) cm tall. Leaves are
hair-like, less than 1.5 mm wide, and form a basal tuft. The open
sheaths are smooth and auricles are absent. The panicle (flowerhead) is
5 to 25 (30) cm long, narrow with slender upward-pointing branches, and
a pale green to purple color. This species occurs primarily from Alaska
to California and east to Montana and New Mexico.

*Key to identification:* The slender, upright to arching seed head and
fine leaves are indicative of its common name. It should not be confused
with tufted hairgrass (*Deschampsia caespitosa*) which is taller,
coarser, and more robust. In addition, the panicles of tufted hairgrass
are more open and branching, and the leaves are broader and flatter than
slender hairgrass. Annual hairgrass (*Deschampsia danthonioides*) is
smaller and the panicle is also much broader and open compared to
slender hairgrass. Because of the fine texture and small florets, it may
loosely resemble a bentgrass (*Agrostis* sp.) without closer inspection.

*Relative abundance in the wild:* Scattered to relatively common but
rarely in large numbers. Slender hairgrass is occasionally found in
drainage ways, seep areas, ditches, and damp open woods, as well as
adjacent to moist pathways or other disturbed areas.

*Adaptation:* Slender hairgrass can be found in wet meadows and along
the margins of streams, ponds, and lakes. Habitat also includes moist
slopes and the understory of open forests from lowland to alpine zones.
It is also a component of coastal prairies. As a species of secondary
plant succession, slender hairgrass re-establishes after logging in
associated forest communities. It is found on fine sandy or gravelly
soils as well as heavier soil types. This species tolerates full sun to
partial shade.

##### Establishment![](media/image4.jpeg){width="1.5375in" height="3.577777777777778in"} {#establishment .Header-3}

There is no seed dormancy and slender hairgrass establishes readily by
sowing in the fall or early spring. Removal of surface hairs
(pubescence) on the seed aids in further seed cleaning as well as sowing
with a drill. There are approximately 2,300,000 seeds/lb (+/- 20%). Each
pound of live seed sown per acre applies about 54 seeds per square foot.
Based on seed size and seedling vigor, suggested seeding rates are 2-4
lbs/ac when sown alone. Higher rates may be required when broadcasting
to achieve full stands under more difficult conditions.

##### Management {#management .Header-3}

Information on the management of this species is lacking. Given its
short-lived nature, grazing must be deferred during flowering and seed
set every other year for stand regeneration. Its ability to easily
volunteer on moist, disturbed ground and readily produce seed makes it a
candidate for moist soil management of wetland habitat for waterfowl,
shorebirds, and other wildlife.

##### Environmental Concerns {#environmental-concerns .Header-3}

Short-lived and may not compete well with weedy herbaceous species.
There are no major concerns described for this species.

##### Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) {#cultivars-improved-and-selected-materials-and-area-of-origin .Header-3}

Multiple sources of seed are readily available in California. One or
more populations originating from western Oregon are on the market as
well. Seed sources from other regions for use in the same area may be
lacking.

##### Prepared By:  {#prepared-by .Header-3}

Dale Darris and Robert Tracey, USDA NRCS Plant Materials Center,
Corvallis, Oregon.

##### Species Coordinator:  {#species-coordinator .Header-3}

Dale Darris, USDA NRCS Plant Materials Center, Corvallis, Oregon.

##### Edited: 20mar2006 jsp {#edited-20mar2006-jsp .Header-4}

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/)\>

*The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in
all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national
origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual
orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases
apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require
alternative means for communication of program information (Braille,
large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA\'s [TARGET
Center](http://www.usda.gov/oo/target.htm) at 202-720-2600 (voice and
TDD).*

*To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence
Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice or
TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.*

*Read about [Civil Rights at the Natural Resources Convervation
Service](http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/about/civilrights/).*