Nimblewill
Muhlenbergia schreberi · Warm-season, Perennial, C4 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Chloridoideae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Invasive/Weed Grass, Native Prairie Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Wild type, no specific commercial cultivar identified
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4-9, good cold tolerance, goes completely dormant and turns brown after the first frost
About This Grass
Forms fine-textured, light green to yellow-green patches that stand out against dormant cool-season turf in spring and autumn; grows low to the ground and turns straw-colored and dormant in winter
Blade Characteristics
Fine-textured blades, 1-2 mm wide, flat or slightly folded, pointed tips, light green color, rolled in the bud (vernation)
Root System
Fibrous and shallow root system with delicate stolons rooting at the nodes, moderate establishment speed, forms a somewhat loose sod
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to North America, widespread in eastern and central regions, found in lawns, open woods, and damp shaded areas
Growth Habit
Stoloniferous, spreading via delicate above-ground stolons forming loose patches or mats
Sunlight & Water Needs
Thrives in partial shade to full sun, moderate moisture requirements, good drought tolerance through summer dormancy
Mowing & Maintenance
Mow at 1.5 to 2.5 inches, high maintenance if treated as a weed in cool-season lawns due to its distinct color difference, low maintenance if left natural
Special Characteristics
Fair wear tolerance, excellent shade tolerance, often considered a grassy weed in Kentucky Bluegrass or Tall Fescue lawns because of its contrasting lighter color and early dormancy
Ecological Information
Native perennial grass providing low-level wildlife cover and erosion control in shaded or wooded borders, often forms patches in moist lawns and damp shaded soil