Fowl Mannagrass

Fowl Mannagrass

Glyceria striata

Fowl Mannagrass is a long lived, cool season perennial bunchgrass. Fowl Mannagrass is a rapidly establishing native species suitable for restoration of swamps, the edges of marshes, ponds, and streams, and other wetland plant communities where an herbaceous understory is desired. It has versatility for use along creeks and ditch bottoms where exposure may vary from full sun to dense shade, thereby improving soil stability beyond the use of woody plants alone. It is rated good to very good for cattle and horses. It is rated fair to good for sheep which tend to use only the leaves. The seed is food for waterfowl and birds while the foliage and tall stems provide good wildlife cover. Foliage is seasonally grazed at a light to heavy rate by deer, muskrat, and bears. It is best adapted to freshwater, semi-aquatic habitats or those that are irregularly to seasonally flooded and saturated for up to 25 percent of the growing season. Fowl Mannagrass tolerates open areas but prefers shady habitats.