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Native Plant Society of Texas

Gulf Muhly

Muhlenbergia capillaris

Other common name(s):

Hairawn Muhly, Hair Grass, Pink Muhly

Family:

Poaceae (Grass Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

East Central Texas Plains, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Texas Blackland Prairies, Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Southern Post Oak Savanna
Coastal Sand Plain, Floodplains and Low Terraces4, Laguna Madre Barrier Island and Coastal Marshes, Lower Rio Grande Valley, Mid-Coast Barrier Islands and Coastal Marshes, Northern Humid Gulf Coastal Prairies, Southern Subhumid Gulf Coastal Prairies, Texas-Louisiana Coastal Marshes
Floodplains and Low Terraces1, Northern Blackland Prairie, Southern Blackland Prairie
Flatwoods, Southern Tertiary Uplands

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Grass & Sedge

Height

1
to
3
ft.

Spread

1.5
to
2
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Calcareous, Clay, Rocky, Sand, Well Drained

Light Requirement

Sun

Water Requirement

Low, Medium

Native Habitat

Grassland, Savanna, Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Pink, Purple

Bloom Season

Fall

Seasonal Interest

Fall Color, Larval Host, Nesting Material, Seeds

Wildlife Benefit

Birds, Butterflies, Small Mammals

Maintenance

Drought tolerant. Creates a beautiful pink to lavender floral display in the fall. Popular in mass plantings, borders, and meadow gardens. Dormant in winter. Can be used for land reclamation. Native habitat: sandy, pine openings, prairies; dry, exposed ledges, rocky or clay soils in open woodlands and savannas and on calcareous outcrops.

Description

Blooms October. A warm-season, clumping grass with a large, airy, much-branched seed head. The spikelets are purple. Larval host: Orange Skipperling.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Muhlenbergia capillaris var. capillaris

References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) Wasowski and Wasowski, Native Texas Plants Landscaping Region by Region, 1991, pg. 129. 3) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=MUCA2. 4) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Muhlenbergia+capillaris&formsubmit=Search+Terms. 5) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=18558&locationType=County&mapType=Normal. 6) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=41902#null, 7) Native and Adapted Landscape Plants, City of Austin and Texas A&M, 2014. 8) Hatch, Umphres, Ardoin, 2015, Field Guide to Common Texas Grasses, pg 190, 9) https://www.coastalpoint.com/lifestyle/pinkly-muhly-grass-a-must-have-for-native-fall-color/article_7af89124-535c-11ee-ac65-4fa036eac6ca.html#:~:text=Songbirds%2C%20turkeys%20and%20small%20animals,insects%20and%20birds%20from%20predators.&text=Attracts%20butterflies%20and%20is%20a%20host%20plant%20for%20moths%20and%20butterflies., 10) chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://plants.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/factsheet/pdf/fs_muca2.pdf, 11) https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/rain-garden-plants-muhlenbergia-capillaris-muhly-grass/#:~:text=These%20seed%20plumes%20are%20a,provides%20habitat%20for%20other%20wildlife. 12) Weber, Jim; Weber, Lynne; Wauer, Roland H. Native Host Plants For Texas Butterflies. Texas A&M University Press. 2018 Weber, Jim; Weber, Lynne. Native Host Plants For Texas Moths. Texas A&M University Press. 2022

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Clump Division Choose a mature and robust pink muhly grass that is free from pests and diseases. This ensures the best chance of successful propagation. Clean and sterilize all tools such as shovels or spades, pots, and potting soil to prevent the spread of disease. Set up a workspace with good lighting and access to water. Thoroughly water the pink muhly grass the day before dividing to ensure it is well-hydrated which makes the division process less stressful for the plant. Gently dig around the outskirts of pink muhly grass's root system, being careful to minimize damage. Lift the entire plant from the soil using a spade or fork. Using your hands or a sharp knife that has been sterilized, divide the root ball into sections. Ensure each division has a good amount of roots and several shoots. Trim any excessively long or damaged roots to promote healthy growth. However, be sure to leave enough roots to sustain the divided plants. Fill pots with a well-draining potting mix or prepare a spot in the garden with similar conditions to the original planting site. Make sure the site has good drainage and airy soil. Plant each division of pink muhly grass at the same depth it was originally growing. The crown of the plant should be at soil level, not buried deeply. Water thoroughly after planting. Keep the soil around pink muhly grass divisions consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide shade if necessary for the first few weeks to reduce stress on the new plants. Keep an eye on the pink muhly grass divisions for signs of new growth, typically within a few weeks. Watch for any pests or disease and treat as necessary. Can propagate by division every three years. The optimal time periods to propagate pink muhly grass through division are early spring and autumn. These seasons offer cooler temperatures and sufficient light for root establishment, avoiding the stress of summer heat. Spring propagation allows a full growing season ahead, while autumn gives the plant time to establish before winter. Both periods have typically higher soil moisture, which aids in root development for new pink muhly grass plants. 1) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=MUCA2 2) https://www.picturethisai.com/care/propagate/Muhlenbergia_capillaris.html#:~:text=What%20Is%20the%20Best%20Time,new%20pink%20muhly%20grass%20plants. 3) https://dallascountymastergardeners.org/muhlenbergia-capillaris-pink-muhly-grass/
Seed Seeds can be sown directly outdoors in late winter or early spring when the risk of frost has passed, as Pink Muhly Grass germinates best with some exposure to cold temperatures. Alternatively, start seeds indoors in seed trays filled with a well-draining germination mix, placing them on the surface of the soil and lightly pressing them in without covering them, as they need light to germinate. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. begin with seed collection in late fall or early winter once the seeds have matured. Collect seeds by gently clipping the seed heads from the plant and allow them to dry. Once dry, thresh the seeds to separate them from chaff. https://dallascountymastergardeners.org/muhlenbergia-capillaris-pink-muhly-grass/

About the Region

2026 Fall Symposium Logo

This low-elevations region of Texas extends inland from the barrier islands, about 60 or so miles, and stretches from Brownsville to Louisiana. In total, it covers about 9.5 million acres, with a high point of 150 feet in elevation. More than 1000 species of plants can be found in this region. On the southern end, species more common in Mexico (such as Sabal mexicana) and Central America occur.

The barrier islands provide us with dune systems, and clay flats to the inland side, which have species found in these areas alone. Many plants here, such as Ipomoea pes-caprae (beach morning glory), can be found throughout tropical regions of the globe. I’ve encountered the same species on the beaches of Guam.

Once inland, vast marshes and wet prairies occur. Occasionally, oak (Quercus fusiformis) groves can be found. Common grasses include species of Bothriochloa, Paspalum, and Sporobolus; eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides); and switchgrass (Panicum species). Many rivers and creeks cut through the Gulf Prairies, and along these riparian areas various species of trees, Sabal minor, and other plants adapted to clay soils can be found. Due to overgrazing, farming, and fire suppression, woody species such as mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) and huisache (Acacia farnesiana), and invasive species such as chinaberry (Melia azedarach), Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), and Chinese tallow (Sapium sebiferum) have increased and displaced our native flora.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason