North America Non-native Plant

Stipagrostis Uniplumis Var. Neesii

Botanical name: Stipagrostis uniplumis var. neesii

USDA symbol: STUNN

Habit: grass

Native status: Not native but doesn't reproduce and persist in the wild

The Mysterious Stipagrostis uniplumis var. neesii: A Grass That Keeps Its Secrets Have you ever stumbled across a plant name that sounds intriguing but leaves you scratching your head when you try to learn more about it? Meet Stipagrostis uniplumis var. neesii – a grass that’s managed to keep a ...

The Mysterious Stipagrostis uniplumis var. neesii: A Grass That Keeps Its Secrets

Have you ever stumbled across a plant name that sounds intriguing but leaves you scratching your head when you try to learn more about it? Meet Stipagrostis uniplumis var. neesii – a grass that’s managed to keep a remarkably low profile in the gardening world.

What We Know About This Elusive Grass

Stipagrostis uniplumis var. neesii belongs to the graminoid group, which means it’s a grass or grass-like plant. The genus Stipagrostis includes various feather grasses, but this particular variety has proven to be quite the mystery plant when it comes to detailed horticultural information.

Unfortunately, this grass doesn’t seem to have earned itself a widely recognized common name, and specific details about its appearance, growing requirements, and garden performance are surprisingly scarce in standard gardening references.

The Challenge for Curious Gardeners

Here’s where things get interesting – and a bit frustrating for plant enthusiasts. While the botanical name suggests this is a legitimate plant variety, finding reliable information about its:

  • Native range and geographical distribution
  • Preferred growing conditions
  • USDA hardiness zones
  • Aesthetic characteristics and garden performance
  • Wildlife and pollinator benefits

…proves to be quite the treasure hunt, even for experienced gardeners and plant researchers.

What This Means for Your Garden Plans

If you’ve encountered this plant name and are considering it for your landscape, here’s our honest advice: proceed with extreme caution. The lack of readily available cultivation information suggests this variety either:

  • Has very limited distribution or availability
  • May not be commonly cultivated
  • Could be primarily of botanical interest rather than horticultural merit

Alternative Grass Options

Rather than pursuing this mysterious variety, consider exploring well-documented native grasses that are known performers in home landscapes. These alternatives will come with clear growing instructions, known benefits, and reliable sources for obtaining plants or seeds.

Your local native plant society or extension office can recommend grass species that are proven winners in your specific region – plants that will give you the satisfaction of successful gardening without the guesswork.

The Bottom Line

Sometimes in the plant world, mystery doesn’t equal magic. While Stipagrostis uniplumis var. neesii might sound exotic and intriguing, the lack of accessible information makes it a risky choice for most gardeners. Stick with well-documented native grasses that will reward your efforts with reliable growth, clear care instructions, and known benefits to local wildlife.

After all, gardening should be about growing beautiful, thriving plants – not solving botanical mysteries in your backyard!

Stipagrostis Uniplumis Var. Neesii

Classification

Group

Monocot

Kingdom

Plantae - Plants

Subkingdom

Tracheobionta - Vascular plants

Superdivision

Spermatophyta - Seed plants

Division

Magnoliophyta - Flowering plants

Subdivision
Class

Liliopsida - Monocotyledons

Subclass

Commelinidae

Order

Cyperales

Family

Poaceae Barnhart - Grass family

Genus

Stipagrostis Nees

Species

Stipagrostis uniplumis (Licht.) De Winter

Plant data source: USDA, NRCS 2025. The PLANTS Database. https://plants.usda.gov,. 2/25/2025. National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC USA