Needle and thread grass, Saskatchewan's provincial grass, is a cool-season native characterized by its distinctive seeds. This plant forms small clumps of slender, unbranched stems, reaching heights of 30 to 60 centimeters. Its long, narrow leaves often display fine hairs on their upper surfaces. The seeds, which give the grass its name, are 1 to 2.5 centimeters long, featuring a sharp, furry base (“the needle”) and a lengthy, twisting awn (“the thread”).

Distributions –
foothills; montane; prairie; parkland

Light –
full-sun

Bloom Period –
spring-to-summer

Height –
30 – 60 cm
12 – 24 in

Habitat –
Dry grassland, sandy and poor soils, dry slopes.