Tripsacum floridanum (dwarf Fakahatchee grass)

General info: Tripsacum floridanum, commonly called dwarf Fakahatchee grass, is a North American native perennial that thrives in well-drained soil in full sun to light shade. It can adapt to wetter or dryer sites but prefers well drained soils. Performs best in full sun but can handle some partial shade. This ornamental grass is native to Florida and is drought tolerant. Dwarf Fakahatchee grass forms upright clumps of grass like green foliage. In sub-tropical areas this variety is evergreen. Dwarf Fakahatchee grass is shorter than other varieties of Fakahatchee grass. Only reaching heights up to two to three feet tall and spreads by rhizomes. This low maintenance and extremely versatile species is also a host plant for Byssus Skipper butterflies.

Landscape uses: Tripsacum floridanum is a very low maintenance ornamental grass that can adapt to varying environments. This species is great used in mass in dry difficult areas where other species can’t survive. This species can also survive in wetter environments with some standing water. However, it does prefer well drained soil. You could also use the native grass as a low maintenance border for a path or flower bed. Use this species as accents in a pollinator garden or wildflower bed to attract lots of butterflies.