Deschampsia nubigena

Main Plant Information

Genus

Deschampsia

Species

nubigena

Common Names

• Alpine hairgrass
• Hawaiʻi alpine hairgrass

Synonyms

• Aira hawaiiensis
• Aira nubigena
• Aira pallida
• Deschampsia australis
• Deschampsia hawaiiensis
• Deschampsia pallens

Plant Characteristics

Distribution Status

Endemic

Endangered Species Status

No Status

Plant Form / Growth Habit

• Non-Woody, Clumping

Mature Size, Height (in feet)

• Grass-like, Medium, 1 to 2.5
• Grass-like, Tall, Greater than or equal to 2.5

Mature Size, Width

Apine hairgrass grows from 2 to 4 feet tall and about half a wide.

Life Span

No data available.

Landscape Uses

• Accent
• Container

Plant Produces Flowers

Yes

Flower Characteristics

Flower Type

Not Showy

Blooming Period

• Spring

Additional Blooming Period and Fruiting Information

Flowers appear in the spring and persist throughout much of the year. [1]

Leaf Characteristics

Plant texture

• Coarse

Additional Plant Texture Information

Leaves are narrow, stiffly erect, and a bout a foot long. They are typically folded over or rolled giving a round appearance in cross section.

Pests and Diseases

Growth Requirements

Water Requirements

No data available.

Light Conditions

No data available.

Environmental Information

Natural Range

• Kauaʻi
• Molokaʻi
• Maui
• Hawaiʻi

Natural Zones (Elevation in feet, Rainfall in inches)

• 1000 to 1999, 0 to 50 (Dry)
• 1000 to 1999, 50 to 100 (Mesic)
• 1000 to 1999, Greater than 100 (Wet)
• 2000 to 2999, 0 to 50 (Dry)
• 2000 to 2999, 50 to 100 (Mesic)
• 2000 to 2999, Greater than 100 (Wet)
• 3000 to 3999, 0 to 50 (Dry)
• 3000 to 3999, 50 to 100 (Mesic)
• 3000 to 3999, Greater than 100 (Wet)
• 4000 to 4999, 0 to 50 (Dry)
• 4000 to 4999, 50 to 100 (Mesic)
• 4000 to 4999, Greater than 100 (Wet)

Habitat

• Terrestrial

Additional Habitat Information

Alpine hairgrass is found from 1970 to 9285 feet a wide variety of habitats, from mesic to wet forest, bogs, subalpine shrublands, and alpine grasslands.

It is also found along streams in rainforest to near sea level. [2]

Special Features and Information

Background Information

In high elevation shrublands and grasslands above 5,000 ft., alpine hairgrass is still a dominant grass species on Moana Loa along with another endemic grass, mountain pili ( Panicum tennifolium ). Feral pigs distrupt areas with native species and expose hairgrass roots in search of invertebrates. [1]

This grass is apparently eaten by grazing animals as well.

Additional References

[1] “Hawai’i’s Plants and Animals–Biological Sketches of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park” by Charles P. Stone & Linda W. Pratt, page 261.

[2] Haleakalā National Park http://www.nps.gov/hale/index.htm [Accessed on 7/16/13]