A native grass is a species that occurred naturally in a specific geographic area before the arrival of European settlers. These plants are the ecological foundation of the region, having evolved over millennia alongside local climate, soil, and wildlife. Understanding and promoting native grasses is an important practice in modern ecology and sustainable landscaping. Prioritizing these species helps restore the natural biological networks that support a healthy environment.
Defining Nativity and Origin
The designation of a grass as “native” is always relative to a specific location, often defined by a local ecoregion. Ecoregions are geographically defined areas that share similar characteristics, such as climate, geology, and soil types, which dictate the types of plants that can naturally survive there. A grass species is considered native if it was historically present in that ecoregion before human intervention altered the landscape, generally before European colonization. This confirms the species has adapted its genetic makeup to the local environmental conditions, including rainfall patterns, seasonal temperatures, and nutrient-poor soils.
This long evolutionary history means native grasses possess a local genotype, allowing them to thrive without external support like irrigation or fertilizer. Species like Big Bluestem, Switchgrass, and Buffalograss, for example, dominated the vast North American prairies. The concept of nativity ensures that the plant selected is the one best suited to the unique, long-term conditions of a site.
Ecological Functions of Native Grasses
Native grasses play a foundational role in maintaining the structure and function of their established ecosystems. Their most significant feature is their deep, extensive root systems, which can extend 10 to 15 feet below the soil surface. In comparison, the roots of many common turf grasses only penetrate the soil by a few inches. These dense, fibrous networks anchor the soil, reducing erosion and increasing the ground’s capacity to absorb rainwater.
The deep roots also contribute substantially to carbon sequestration by storing organic matter underground. Studies indicate that healthy native grasslands can sequester carbon more reliably over the long term than forests, locking it away in the soil where it remains stable. This below-ground biomass enhances soil health by promoting beneficial microbial activity and improving water infiltration. These grasses also provide necessary habitat and food sources for specialized local wildlife, including host plants for insect larvae, seeds for birds, and shelter for small mammals.
Key Distinctions from Non-Native Species
A primary distinction between native grasses and common non-native alternatives, such as Kentucky Bluegrass or Bermuda grass, lies in their resource requirements. Non-native turf species are often shallow-rooted and developed for specific aesthetic traits, requiring frequent inputs to maintain their appearance. This typically includes regular mowing, supplemental water, and applications of fertilizer or pesticides.
Native grasses are adapted to local conditions and require minimal maintenance once established. They are naturally more resilient to local pests, diseases, and seasonal drought because they evolved under those specific environmental pressures. Non-native species can sometimes become invasive, outcompeting local flora and degrading habitat. Properly selected native plants integrate into the ecosystem without disrupting the natural balance.
Utilizing Native Grasses in Landscaping
Incorporating native grasses into a landscape moves away from a resource-intensive lawn toward a more sustainable and functional planting. Selection should begin by determining the species appropriate for the local ecoregion and the specific site conditions, such as sun exposure and soil type. Grasses are often categorized as either warm-season, which grow most actively during the heat of summer, or cool-season, which thrive in the spring and fall.
Native grasses offer multiple practical applications, functioning as turf alternatives that tolerate less traffic, as meadow plantings, or as specimens in ornamental beds. For establishment, smaller areas can be planted using plugs—small plants started in containers—which provide a head start and a more immediate visual impact. Larger areas are often established by seeding, a process that requires careful site preparation to remove existing weeds and keeping the seedbed moist until germination occurs. Once established, these plantings require little to no fertilizer and minimal watering, making them a low-input, long-term solution for property owners.