Fauna
Plant

Gulf Muhly

Muhlenbergia sericea

Also known as Gulf Hairawn Muhly, Sweetgrass, Dune Hairgrass

Gulf muhly forms dense, fine-textured tussocks along coastal dunes and sandy maritime openings of the Southeastern United States. In autumn, the grass erupts into delicate, airy panicles of vivid pink-to-purple flowers that appear like a hazy cloud catching the coastal breeze. For centuries, its flexible stems have served as an essential material for the traditional coil-basket weaving practiced by coastal Gullah Geechee artisans.

CoastalPerennialNative Grass
Gulf Muhly reference1 / 7
(c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · cc-by-sa
—observations
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyPhotosynthetic
Predators
  • White-tailed Deer
  • Eastern Cottontail
ThreatsCoastal development, shoreline erosion, and invasive exotic plants
HabitatsCoastal sand dunes, maritime forest edges, and sandy pine flatwoods
Life spanPerennial (typically 5–15 years)
Classification
  1. FamilyPoaceae
  2. SpeciesMuhlenbergia sericea
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Peak Viewing: Look for the striking pink-purple haze of flowers from late September through November.
  • Cultural Respect: Support local Gullah Geechee artisans who sustainably harvest its culms for historic basketry.
  • Identification: Note the long, hair-like awns on the spikelets that distinguish it in coastal sands.
Related species
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