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Native Plant Society of Texas

Nimblewill

Muhlenbergia schreberi

Other common name(s):

Nimblewill 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, Edwards Plateau, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Texas Blackland Prairies, Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Bastrop Lost Pines, Floodplains and Low Terraces2, Northern Post Oak Savanna, Northern Prairie Outliers, San Antonio Prairie, Southern Post Oak Savanna
Balcones Canyonlands
Northern Humid Gulf Coastal Prairies, Texas-Louisiana Coastal Marshes
Floodplains and Low Terraces1, Northern Blackland Prairie
Flatwoods, Floodplains and Low Terraces3, Pleistocene Fluvial Terraces, Red River Bottomlands, Southern Tertiary Uplands

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Grass & Sedge

Height

1
to
3
ft.

Spread

1
to
3
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Clay, Loam, Moist, Rocky, Sand

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Medium

Native Habitat

Disturbed Areas, Grassland, Woodland Edge

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Green

Bloom Season

Summer

Seasonal Interest

Forage, Seeds

Wildlife Benefit

Birds, Browsers

Maintenance

Considered a southern turf type lawn grass and turns brown in the winter. Tolerates a awide range of soil conditions. It is shade tolerant and tends to spread easily once established. Durable in moderately cold temperatures and pest resistant, Warning: Do not use this grass in areas frequented by dogs; barbed awns pose a serious threat of eye injury. Native habitat: disturbed areas like fields, along roads, woodland edges,

Description

Blooms July-September. A warm-season short grass. Produces purple to green stems that stand erect. Narrow leaves jut out horizontally in different directions. Spikelets that contain the flowers are about 2-8 inches long. Each spikelet has 1–2 bracts. The florets are pollinated by the wind.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Muhlenbergia palustris, Muhlenbergia schreberi var. palustris, Agrostis apetala, Agrostis oligantha, Agrostis pauciflora, Anthipsimus gonopodus, Cynodon diffusus, Dilepyrum diffusum, Dilepyrum minutiflorum, Muhlenbergia botterii, Muhlenbergia diffusa, Muhlenbergia diffusa, Muhlenbergia diffusa, Muhlenbergia minutiflora, Polypogon pauciflorus, Muhlenbergia schreberi ssp. palustris, Muhlenbergia schreberi ssp. schreberii

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed No Treatment Sow seeds directly outdoors in late spring or early summer when the soil is consistently warm. Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Lightly rake the surface to create a fine seedbed. Sprinkle the seeds sparingly, then gently cover them with a thin layer of soil. Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Seeds will typically germinate within a few weeks. Once seedlings are a few inches tall, thin them to ensure adequate space for growth. You can transplant those you thinned to new locations. 1) https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-muhlenbergia-schreberi/ 2) https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/muhlenbergia-schreberi/#:~:text=In%20the%20fall%2C%20attractive%20panicles,Tags:
Clump Division Carefully dig up the clump. Use a sharp knife or spade to divide the mass into smaller sections, each with a healthy root system and several shoots. Plant these divisions immediately in prepared beds or containers, ensuring that the crown (where the roots meet the stem) is just below the soil surface. Water thoroughly. Early spring or late summer, when the grass is actively growing, is ideal for division. 1) https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-muhlenbergia-schreberi/ 2) https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/muhly-grass/#:~:text=As%20the%20plants%20age%2C%20they,contact%20your%20county%20Extension%20office.
Softwood Cutting Apply a rooting hormone to the cut end. Pot the cuttings in a well-draining rooting mixture, keeping only the nodes submerged. Place a humidity dome over the pot or cover it with a plastic wrap to create a humid environment. Keep the rooting mix consistently moist and monitor for signs of new growth, which will indicate successful rooting. After a few weeks, the cutting should be ready to transplant. Take softwood cuttings in late spring or early summer when the grass is actively growing. Choose a healthy, non-flowering stem. Use sharp pruning shears to cut a 4-6 inch section, ensuring at least two nodes (where leaves emerge) are included. Remove the bottom leaves. https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-muhlenbergia-schreberi/

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