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| ## toothache grass {#toothache-grass .Title-Header}                   |
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| *Ctenium aromaticum* (Walt.) Wood                                     |
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| Plant Symbol = CTAR                                                   |
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*Contributed By: USDA NRCS National Plant Data*

*Center*

# 

![](media/image2.jpeg){width="2.7909722222222224in"
height="1.8541666666666667in"}

## Alternate Names

toothachegrass

## Uses 

Livestock grazes toothache grass most readily during spring and summer.

## 

## 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). Toothache grass is a warm‑season, perennial
bunch grass. The height is between 2 and 3 feet. The leaf blade is 1/4
to 1/2 inch wide, 6 to 10 inches long, pale green on bottom, and darker
green on top. The leaf sheath is mostly basal and shorter than
internodes. The ligule is small membrane with short hair. The stem, when
erect, has an enlarged base and contains a substance that deadens the
tongue and gums when chewed. The seedhead is a curved spike with
spikelets sessile on one side of rachis, giving it a comb-like
appearance.

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

## Management

This grass responds to same management as major associated grasses. An
abundance of this grass indicates good range condition on wet sites.

# 

## Establishment

Growth starts in early spring and again in October or November. The seed
ripens in late May or early June. Occasionally, it grows in pure stands.
Each plant produces many seed stalks. This grass produces an abundant
seed crop the first growing season after a burn. It is adapted to wet,
poorly drained, acid soils. Typical sites are flatwoods with clayey
subsoil and sloughs, which have standing or slow‑moving water following
heavy rains.

## 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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