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Reed Manna Grass

Glyceria grandis

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Category
Grass / Sedge / Rush
Sun
Full
Soil moisture
Wet to Medium-Wet
Bloom time
Jun–Sep
Notes
Cool

About Reed Manna Grass

Reed Manna Grass, also known as American Mannagrass, is a robust and commanding native cool-season perennial that plays a vital role in wetland ecology. Reaching impressive heights of 3 to 5 feet, it features broad, flat leaves and large, airy flower clusters that often take on a purplish tint during the summer months. Native across the northern half of North America, it is commonly found in marshes, wet meadows, and along the banks of slow-moving streams. This grass is a powerhouse for wildlife, providing essential nesting habitat for wetland birds and serving as a larval host for several species of native invertebrates. Its extensive root system makes it an excellent choice for stabilizing banks and managing drainage in wet areas. It thrives in full sun and wet to medium-wet soils, including heavy clay or peat. Whether used for large-scale restoration or as a structural element in a rain garden, Reed Manna Grass offers both functional benefits and a graceful, upright silhouette.

Native range

Native to 38 states:

AlaskaArizonaCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareIowaIdahoIllinoisIndianaMassachusettsMarylandMaineMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMontanaNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaNebraskaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNevadaNew YorkOhioOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth DakotaTennesseeUtahVirginiaVermontWashingtonWisconsinWest VirginiaWyoming

County range map

BONAP county-level native range map for Glyceria grandis

Range map courtesy of BONAP (Biota of North America Program).

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