Overview
Britton’s beargrass is a perennial herb characterized by long, grass-like leaves emerging from a central clump on a bulbous stem. The plant's young leaves, about half an inch wide, grow erect, while older leaves spread out six feet long. The plant produces a 3 to 6-foot stock topped with a striking cluster of small white flowers that bloom from March to May. Habitat loss and the lack of fire pose significant threats to the plant.
Scientific Name
Identification Numbers
Characteristics
Habitat
Its distribution includes the following counties: Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lake, Manatee, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Polk, and Seminole.
Physical Characteristics
This perennial herb characterized by long, grass-like leaves emerging from a central clump on a bulbous stem. The plant's young leaves, about half an inch wide, grow erect, while older leaves spread out six feet long. The plant produces a 3 to 6-foot stock topped with a striking cluster of small white flowers that bloom from March to May.
Life Cycle
Male and female flowers typically grow on separate plants. In the fall, the plant produces an abundance of seeds contained in small, winged capsules. These capsules are light yellow when young and turn brown as the seeds mature. The plants spread vegetatively, so a group of rosettes may represent only a single genetic individual.
Habitat
Britton’s beargrass thrives in well-drained, xeric soils on the Lake Wales Ridge and extends north to the Ocala National Forest.
Timeline
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