About Diarrhena americana P.Beauv.
Diarrhena americana P.Beauv., commonly called beak grass, is a perennial bunchgrass that grows in clumps 2 to 3 feet (0.61 to 0.91 m) tall. Its culms reach 60 to 131 cm (24 to 52 in) in height, and it produces bright green leaf blades that can grow up to 0.75 inches (1.9 cm) wide.
From early to mid-summer, this species grows flowers that rise above the foliage, forming 3-inch tall floral spikes. By late summer, the flowers develop into hard, brown seed heads. Each seed has a characteristic blunt beak that gives the plant its common name, and this beak is involved in seed dispersal.
Diarrhena americana is naturally distributed across the Midwestern United States: its range extends south to Alabama, east to Kentucky, the Appalachian Mountains and northern Maryland, and north to southern Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and southern Michigan, with occurrences as far west as eastern Oklahoma and Missouri. It grows in rich cove forests and woodlands, preferring moist shaded soils on ledges and riverbanks.
This species is cultivated as an ornamental grass for use in traditional gardens, wildlife gardens, and natural landscaping projects. It is easy to grow and maintain, tolerates low sun and low water, and is generally hardy. It can withstand drought, heavy shade, competition from eastern black walnuts, and urban air pollution. When grown in moist rich soils in full shade, it will form dense clumps.
