Oldfield Grass: A Tropical Grass with Complex Origins
Meet Anthephora, commonly known as oldfield grass – a small but interesting member of the grass family that’s sparked quite a bit of discussion among gardeners and land managers. This unassuming plant has a somewhat complicated relationship with North American landscapes, making it worth understanding before you decide whether to welcome it into your garden.
What Exactly Is Oldfield Grass?
Oldfield grass (Anthephora) is a graminoid – that’s fancy talk for a grass or grass-like plant. Think of it as part of that big, diverse family that includes not just your typical lawn grasses, but also sedges, rushes, and other grass-like plants. This particular species can be either annual or perennial, depending on growing conditions, which adds to its adaptable nature.
Where Does It Call Home?
Here’s where things get interesting with oldfield grass – it’s a bit of a geographic puzzle. While it’s native to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, it’s considered non-native in Hawaii and the lower 48 states. Currently, you’ll find established populations in Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, where it reproduces on its own and tends to persist in the landscape.
The Garden Perspective: To Grow or Not to Grow?
If you’re gardening in the continental United States or Hawaii, oldfield grass falls into that tricky category of non-native plants. While it’s not currently listed as invasive or noxious, its ability to reproduce spontaneously and persist in the wild means you’ll want to think carefully before planting it.
For gardeners in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, this is actually a native species that can play a valuable role in local ecosystems and native plant gardens.
Growing Conditions and Care
Oldfield grass thrives in tropical and subtropical climates, making it suitable for USDA hardiness zones 9-11. Here’s what this adaptable grass prefers:
- Full sun exposure for best growth
- Well-drained soils (it doesn’t like soggy feet)
- Once established, it’s quite drought tolerant
- Low maintenance requirements
The plant tends to be fairly self-sufficient once it gets going, which is both a blessing and something to keep in mind if you’re concerned about it spreading beyond where you want it.
Landscape Uses
Where appropriate to plant, oldfield grass can serve several purposes:
- Ground cover in naturalized areas
- Addition to coastal gardens where salt tolerance is important
- Component of low-water, xerophytic landscapes
- Filler in meadow-style plantings
Wildlife and Ecological Considerations
As a wind-pollinated grass, oldfield grass doesn’t offer the same direct benefits to pollinators that flowering plants do. However, grasses can provide habitat and food sources for various wildlife species, including birds that may feed on the seeds.
The Bottom Line
If you’re gardening in Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands, oldfield grass represents a native species that can contribute to local ecosystem health and requires minimal care. For gardeners elsewhere, especially in Florida and Hawaii where it’s established but non-native, consider exploring native grass alternatives that can provide similar aesthetic and functional benefits without the ecological concerns.
Some excellent native grass alternatives to consider include local bunch grasses, native sedges, or region-specific prairie grasses that will support local wildlife while giving you that natural, low-maintenance look you’re after.
Remember, the best garden choices are often the ones that work harmoniously with your local ecosystem – and sometimes that means appreciating a plant’s beauty while choosing something even better suited to your specific corner of the world.
