Danthonia spicata (Fr: danthonie à épi | En: poverty oatgrass)

Poverty Oatgrass

Danthonia spicata
Alternative names: Curly Grass, Bunched Oatgrass
French: Danthonie à épi

Poverty Oatgrass is a resilient native bunchgrass perfectly suited to harsh, dry conditions. Found in rock barrens, sand dunes, and other nutrient-poor habitats, it thrives where few other plants can, including areas exposed to extreme summer heat near concrete, stone, or asphalt.

This grass is easily recognizable by the curled, straw-coloured blades it produces when dormant—often considered more ornamental in death than in life. It stays low to the ground, is drought-tolerant, and tolerates foot traffic and mowing, making it ideal for natural lawns, rock gardens, and dry urban edges.

Although not competitive in rich soils where invasive grasses dominate, it excels in dry, poor, sandy or rocky areas. It also provides valuable habitat: several skipper butterfly species use it as a larval host plant, and it is a favourite of grasshoppers and crickets.

Height: 20 cm (leaves); flowering stem up to 1 m
Light: Full sun to part shade
Moisture: Dry to moderate
Soil: Sandy, rocky, nutrient-poor
Habitat: Rock barrens, sand dunes, dry slopes
Ecological benefits: Host plant for butterflies, habitat for grasshoppers and crickets
Edible: Not edible