STENANTHIUM GRAMINEUM
(Ker) Morong.
Feather-bells
FAMILY: Liliaceae
SYNONYMS: Stenanthium robustum S. Wats. (= var. robustum
(S. Wats.) Fern.
HABIT: Stems arising from bulbous base are leafy below, reduced
upwards to panicle, 0.25-1.9 m; flowers and fruits June-Sept.
SIMILAR SPECIES: This genus, with only one species in Ohio,
is very distinctive with its long grass-like leaves, panicled inflorescence and
many smallish white flowers. Two types of flowers are present. Flowers of
panicle branches are staminate, whereas flowers of the terminal unbranched axis
are perfect.
TOTAL RANGE: PA, OH, IN and MO, s. to FL and AR.
STATE RANGE: There are post-1960 records from Gallia,
Jackson, Lawrence, Pike and Scioto Counties. There are pre-1960 records from
Adams, Hamilton, Licking and Stark Counties.
STATE STATUS: 1980-1987: Potentially Threatened,
1988 to present: Threatened.
HABITAT: Moist rocky woods, rich wooded slopes; most
frequent on acid soils.
HAZARDS: Possibly overgrowth by woody species as a result of
succession; destruction of habitat by mining or logging.
RECOVERY POTENTIAL: Possibly poor; the species appears to be
difficult to transplant (Deam 1940).
INVENTORY GUIDELINES: Collect mature flowering specimens.
COMMENTS: Two intergrading varieties occur in Ohio. The var.
robustum is larger with wider leaves and a denser, longer panicle. The
var. robustum has erect fruits, whereas var. gramineum has
deflexed fruits. The species should be sought in southern Ohio.
SELECTED REFERENCES:
Braun, E.L. 1967. The Monocotyledoneae [of Ohio]: Cat-tails
to orchids. The Ohio State Univ. Press, Columbus OH. 464 pp.
Deam, C.C. 1940. Flora of Indiana. Burford Printing Co.,
Indianapolis. 1236 pp.
Steyermark, J.A. 1963. Flora of Missouri. The Iowa State
University Press, Ames IA. 1728 pp.
Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Division of Natural Areas and Preserves
Created: 4/1993 Greg Schneider
Database Code: SPGT.J86