College of Charleston's

Campus Sustainability

Plants used in the garden

Tips on growing these plants

Signature species: Muhlenbergia filipes

Interesting facts

 

Pictures

 
 Preparation and Planting 
    Spring 04
 Seasons
    Spring 04
    Fall 04
    Fall 05
Signature species: Muhlenbergia filipes

Resources

 

 Muhlenbergia filipes, commonly known as Sweetgrass, is a perennial grass found in Texas, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina. This plant prefers full to moderate sun, with dry sandy soil that is nutrient poor. Seeds and seedlings do best if planted in unfertilized soil in fall, winter, or early-ish spring. The beautiful mauve flowers that appear in fall make this grass ornamental and distinctive.

So why is Sweetgrass so important, and the signature species of the College of Charleston's Native Species Garden? This grass has extremely important historical and cultural significance to the South Carolina Lowcountry and surrounding areas. For at least the past three centuries, the blades of this supple yet strong grass have been used for coiled basket making. This grass is harvested by "direct descendants of enslaved Africans of antebellum South Carolina," and continues to be an important part of the Lowcountry's African American and Gullah cultures. Originally used as practical work baskets, these baskets are now a source of income and pride as they have evolved into fine-tuned works of art.

But Sweetgrass and those who utilize it are facing some serious problems. Due to the disappearance of natural Sweetgrass habitat (sandy shorelines and barrier islands), naturally occurring crops of Sweetgrass have become scant in many places, particularly in the South Carolina Lowcountry. With the continued urbanization of coastal areas and the development of barrier islands, many of those who depend on Sweetgrass for a livelihood must purchase raw materials collected in Florida and Georgia to continue this important art form.

But what can you do? Besides growing this beautiful grass in your own native species garden, write to your local government officials and let them know that you support the Sweetgrass basket making industry as a vital part of our shared historical and cultural heritage, and that you also support research into learning how to domesticate and cultivate this important native plant species.

For more information on growing your own sweetgrass, follow this link.

For more information on sweetgrass basketry and how you can help to save this artform, please follow this link.

 

Resource: R.J. Dufault, M. Jackson, and S.K. Salvo. 1993. Sweetgrass: History, basketry, and constraints to industry growth. p. 442-445. In: J. Janick and J.E. Simon (eds.), New crops. Wiley, New York.
Online: http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/proceedings1993/v2-442.html