Swollen Fingergrass: The Unassuming Annual That’s Making Itself at Home
If you’ve ever noticed a small, somewhat scraggly grass with distinctive finger-like seed heads popping up in disturbed areas of your yard, you might have encountered swollen fingergrass (Chloris barbata). This annual grass has quite the travel story – while it’s native to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, it’s managed to establish itself across several southern U.S. states and Pacific regions. Also known as fingergrass mau’, this modest little grass is more interesting than it first appears.
Getting to Know Swollen Fingergrass
Swollen fingergrass is an annual grass that belongs to the Poaceae family. You might also see it referenced by its former scientific names, Chloris inflata or Chloris paraguaiensis, but Chloris barbata is the current accepted name. As an annual, it completes its entire life cycle within one growing season, producing seeds before dying back.
This grass earns its fingergrass moniker from its characteristic seed heads, which extend outward like fingers from the stem. The swollen part of its name refers to the slightly enlarged appearance of these seed structures.
Where You’ll Find It
Currently, swollen fingergrass has established populations in Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, South Carolina, and Texas, as well as in several Pacific territories including Guam and Palau. While it’s considered non-native in most of these locations, it has naturalized and reproduces on its own without human intervention.
Should You Plant Swollen Fingergrass?
Here’s the honest truth: swollen fingergrass isn’t typically grown as an ornamental plant. It’s more likely to appear on its own in disturbed soils, vacant lots, or areas with poor growing conditions. While it’s not classified as invasive or noxious, it’s also not particularly showy or beneficial for most garden situations.
This grass prefers upland conditions – meaning it usually grows in non-wetland areas, though it can occasionally tolerate some moisture. It’s quite adaptable to poor soils and full sun conditions, which explains why it often shows up in less-than-ideal growing spots.
Growing Conditions and Care
If swollen fingergrass has appeared in your landscape, it thrives in:
- USDA hardiness zones 9-11
- Full sun exposure
- Well-draining soils, including poor or disturbed ground
- Warm, subtropical to tropical climates
- Low-maintenance conditions once established
As a wind-pollinated grass, it doesn’t offer significant benefits to pollinators like bees and butterflies. Its primary ecological role is as a pioneer species that can colonize disturbed areas.
Native Alternatives to Consider
Since swollen fingergrass isn’t native to most areas where it’s found, consider these beautiful native grass alternatives that will provide more benefits to local wildlife:
- For Florida: Wiregrass (Aristida stricta) or Florida gamagrass (Tripsacum floridanum)
- For Texas: Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) or Gulf muhly (Muhlenbergia capillaris)
- For Louisiana: Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) or Eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides)
- For South Carolina: Broomsedge bluestem (Andropogon virginicus) or Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans)
The Bottom Line
Swollen fingergrass is one of those plants that’s more likely to find you than the other way around. While it’s not harmful to grow, it’s also not particularly beneficial for most garden goals. If you’re looking to support local ecosystems and create beautiful landscapes, investing in native grasses will give you better results and provide more value to local wildlife. However, if this little grass has made itself comfortable in a difficult spot in your yard, it’s not causing any major problems – just doing its modest thing as grasses do.
