Background shrub.

Seeds float and can be dispersed by water. Noted as a sand stabilizer being one of the first plants to colonize active dunes. Pan-tropical. Makes a nice groundcover in an informal dry yard. In nature, it is an important stabilizer of beach dunes.

Given that this is short-lived (biennial) and difficult to transplant or grow from seed, this is perhaps best encouraged in places where it grows naturally.  Minimizing competition from other plants, and perhaps burning the garden area, may be useful.  This plant appears to have a seedbank with seeds that may sprout over an extended period of years if conditions are right. The range of this plant in Florida appears to be disjunct though how much of this is due to site conditions and how much could be an artifact of forestry practices is unknown. Wildflower garden where it can be used as a specimen plant.

Shade tree.  Narrow crown is said to make it a good choice for avenues, narrow entryways, and areas between houses.  Can be used as a large container plant.

There are three subspecies included in this description.  Together, they are found in all coastal counties of Florida and many inland ones.  As a grass, it is likely undercollected and it has likely been excluded by many agricultural practices, so at least one of these subspecies is potentially native throughout Florida.  Muhlenbergia capillaris var. capillaris is the subspecies that is most commonly available from nurseries. Hedge, specimen plant, mass planting

Endemic to western peninsular Florida from Tampa south to Charlotte County. Wildflower garden.

Is listed as Endangered in Florida. Hedges; small specimen plants; mass planting; ground cover; large planters. Dune reclamation.