Deer Grass: A forgotten plant rediscovered
Deer Grass: A forgotten plant rediscovered
By: Jon Hammond, Tehachapi News Columnist
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Posted by editor Tue Nov 30, 1999 00:00:00 PST
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0 responses 0 comments For thousands of years, a beautiful species of bunch grass grew in small meadows tucked into canyons in the Tehachapi area. The Nüwa (Kawaiisu) Indian people cherished this stately grass, for it provided the foundation rods for their fine baskets.
Then the Native Americans were pushed aside by newcomers who had little use for the old culture. Overgrazing and invasive annual grasses overpowered the native perennial grass, basketmaking stopped and humans forgot about the bunch grass.
Eventually a few of the more thoughtful, observant people became interested in native plants and their many useful qualities. It was only a matter of time before their attention rested upon the old indigenous bunch grass, and they liked what they saw.
Deer Grass (Muhlenbegia rigens) has been remembered.
This hardy perennial bunch grass is becoming increasingly popular for landscaping. It is fairly drought-tolerant but thrives with frequent watering. Deer Grass produces tall seed stalks that wave gracefully in the afternoon breeze. The long, narrow leaf blades arc outwards from the center of the clump and trail artistically around each bunch of Deer Grass.
Even under ideal conditions, the clumps only reach about three feet high with the seed stalks rising another couple feet above that. There are many splendid examples of Deer Grass growing around the shopping center that houses Walgreens and the Tehachapi branch of the Kern County Library.
I often think how delighted the oldtime Indian basketmakers would be to see such an abundance of well-watered, fertilized Deer Grass producing so many long straight seed stalks. While Muhlenbergia rigens is widespread throughout this area, nowhere is it common and I have found it only in small colonies ranging from five to 25 plants in places like the Old West Ranch, Horsethief Canyon, Oak Creek Canyon, Water Canyon, etc.
The stand of Deer Grass at the corner of Tucker Road and Tehachapi Boulevard is thus an amazing abundance of these pleasant grasses.
The Nüwa call Deer Grass “Si-pu-biv-eh” and use the seed stalks to form the foundation rods of the coiled baskets. Split willow is used to wrap around and around the bundle of whole Deer Grass rods, with additional rods being added the basket spirals its way around.
Before being used, basketmakers must remove the tiny and sharp fibers that support the seeds. These can easily slip into your skin as you slide your hand down the stem to remove them, so its best to soak the Deer Grass first and protect your hand with leather or cloth.
It is gratifying to see the increasing use of this longtime California native. The City of Tehachapi has included Deer Grass in some of their plantings, and so have homeowners who appreciate this graceful, undemanding plant. Local nurseries generally carry Muhlenbergia rigens.
Have a good week.
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