Back to species databaseGrass / Sedge / Rush

Catchfly Grass

Leersia lenticularis

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Category
Grass / Sedge / Rush
Sun
Partial
Soil moisture
Medium-Wet to Medium
Bloom time
Jul–Oct

About Catchfly Grass

Catchfly Grass is a hidden gem of the floodplain forest, prized for its unique aesthetic and its role in supporting woodland biodiversity. This native perennial grass grows 2 to 4 feet tall (occasionally up to 5 feet) and is characterized by its broad, lance-shaped leaves and distinctive, flattened seed heads that resemble small, circular discs. These ornate seeds give the plant its name, as they appear almost trapped within the delicate branches of the inflorescence. Native to moist, shaded river bottoms and seasonally flooded forests of the eastern and central United States, Catchfly Grass is an excellent choice for shaded rain gardens or woodland restoration projects. It thrives in partial shade and medium-wet to wet soils, particularly those that are rich in organic matter. Beyond its visual appeal, it provides essential cover for amphibians and small mammals in wetland margins. If you have a damp, shady corner of your landscape, Catchfly Grass offers a lush, textured solution that celebrates the beauty of our native forest floor.

Native range

Native to 22 states:

AlabamaArkansasFloridaGeorgiaIowaIllinoisIndianaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMarylandMinnesotaMissouriMississippiNorth CarolinaOhioOklahomaSouth CarolinaTennesseeTexasVirginiaWisconsin

County range map

BONAP county-level native range map for Leersia lenticularis

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

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